The Butler wrapped the robe around himself and tied the belt. The second floor clock struck as he descended the stairs and moved through the living room. He checked his wristwatch hoping that he could have heard wrong but it was just past dawn and the streets around the block were empty.

C.C. had stayed at her place that night. She had legal work to do with some new crewmembers after the function was over. She left the theater about midnight and due to sheer exhaustion she decided it would be best just to drive home and get some rest. Conversely, Niles woke up at four and couldn’t go back to sleep.

He placed two slices of wheat berry bread in the toaster and pushed down the lever. He sighed lost in his thoughts; five days had gone by after he first tried to reach his parents and not a word in return. -‘They are either out of town or simply ignoring my messages.’ The toasts popped up. -"I wouldn’t blame them." He let it out loud as he spread the two pieces with some blueberry preserve and placed them on a small plate. -‘It has been almost thirty years.’ He thought as he poured himself some fresh coffee; he’d always have some waiting for him after five – one of the joys of the modern kitchen.

Picking up a cloth napkin then deciding for a simple paper serviette, he took the toasts and coffee over to the table. But another thought tormented him that morning. They had been rehearsing for a few days now. Would C.C. be really talking seriously when it came to pitching that play to Mr. Sheffield?

She was…

The Blonde gathered some people from the chorus of "Yetta’s Letters" and had a cute musical number ready in one week. The protagonist was Niles who sang a song written by himself and composed by two of the show’s musicians. With the instrumental part pre-recorded and ready in the sound system, and her friends all strategically positioned C.C. took Maxwell by surprise. He was reading a book in the living room when she came in and each actor from the group - including the Butler - performed the number in their costumes and in perfect sync.

-"Well, well, well!" Maxwell clapped when the musical piece ended. -"What can I say; I’m amazed! Congratulations people!"

Everyone cheered.

-"And you, old man, you were great!"

-"Is that a cutting remark or you really mean it?" Niles asked with great misgivings.

-"Of course, I bloody mean it! It was a splendid number, I must say! C.C., I think you’re not only good with numbers, but I better start paying attention to you when it comes to some scripts."

-"I told you Maxwell. This play is really something."

-"By what I saw here it has potential indeed." He admitted.

She nodded with a grin. -"Thank you, guys! The van will take you back to the theater. Oo, and your checks will be there tomorrow!" C.C. waved. -"You were awesome!"

Niles made a sign as if tipping his hat to them as they all went out happily.

-"Good lyrics. Who wrote them?" Maxwell inquired.

-"Ta-da!" C.C. said with her hands pointing to Niles.

-"The lyrics too, eh?" Maxwell’s mouth gaped. -"All you?"

-"Me-myself and I, sir."

-"What do you know; impressive!"

-"I guess I could become a new Chaplin!" Niles waggled his body and twirled an imaginary cane.

-"Take it easy, old man. Remember, there’s only one man who will ever command respect by blowing his own horn." Max added teacher-like.

-"Maxwell Sheffield?" Niles smiled feebly.

-"Gabriel."

C.C. laughed in her throaty way. -"Get real, Max. He could indeed become a new Chaplin."

-"See, sir? Says my worst supporter."

She shook her head and ignored with a smile. -"A good actor, a good writer; even helped me with the production." Then realizing she was giving out too much. -"The most obnoxious pain in the butt, but boy, his voice is sooo good."

-"Chaplin, eh?" Maxwell jested arching his eyebrow. -"Wouldn’t Ed Wood be more like you?" Maxwell darted.

-"Always flattering." Niles shot Maxwell a glare.

-"Who?" C.C. asked clueless.

-"Ed Wood, the great master of B-movies." Niles let out deadpan.

-"Oh." Realizing the comparison. -"Max!"

-"I’m joking." Defensive. -"I liked him."

-"You were a fan." The Butler rolled his eyes.

-"See?" Maxwell retorted.

Niles ignored. -"Wasn’t he the one who hid behind tons of A.K.A.’s?"

-"Well, who wouldn’t?" C.C. muttered.

-"The very one." Max smiled and thought for a second then added proudly. -"Johnny Carpenter, Don Miller, Daniel Davis; just to name a few."

-"Gee, fan is an understatement." C.C. mumbled again.

-"I could use one of those names." The Butler said absently. -"It sounds more artistic than Niles Bran-..." He stopped abruptly.

C.C.’s eyes flew open.

Max looked surprised.

-"Never mind." The Butler cleared his throat.

The Blonde was disappointed; she knew it would be useless to insist.

-"Anyway, my friend, do you have a copy of that play? I’d like to take a peek."

-"You mean…" Niles shot him another glare; this time, a deadly one. -"You mean, you didn’t read it, sir? You didn’t even take a look?"

-"I, er…" Max swallowed hard. -"I-I-I…" He stuttered embarrassedly. -"Of course I had a look. I-…"

-"Spare me, will you?" Niles said through gritted teeth. -"No wonder you didn’t know I had written lyrics for the show."

The Blonde also shot Maxwell an accusative stare.

To both. -"Well, there were tons of those plays on my desk. How could I imagine that, that..."

-"Say no more! I suppose that a play written by an insignificant and meaningless butler could never beat any of those "brilliant" wannabe writers, right?" Niles asked sarcastically.

Max was strapped for words.

Niles sneered with a disgruntled voice. -"Typical."

Maxwell remained speechless; he stared at his friends in total bewilderment.

-"Niles…" C.C. whispered trying to comfort him.

He gave her a discreet but thankful wink before he brushed past Maxwell without a word.

-"C.C., I never thought he would react like that." Max followed the man with the same vacant glance. -"What did I do?"

-"Just to quote someone we know darn well, Max, I think you "fercockted" the entire thing!"

-"I guess." He mumbled as he wandered across the room; his eyes still troubled and vague. -"That man is like an older brother to me and I’ve made a right balls-up of this." He exhaled deeply. -"He’s a friend, C.C.!"

-"You know that and I know that, but does he?" She asked flatly.

Maxwell flopped on the couch helplessly.

-"One of the quickest ways to end a friendship is to neglect it and sever contact. Believe me, Max, I know that."

-"That has nothing to do with-…"

-"That’s exactly what you did; you ignored him."

-"I did not."

-"Did you or did you not read his play?"

He hesitated. -"Only the synopsis, but it sort of reminded me of "The Dresser"." He let out embarrassedly.

-"Mm, feeling like an aged thespian on his last legs, have we?" C.C. let out sarcastically.

-"Oh, you know what I mean." He pouted. -"Besides, he was annoying me so much by putting the bloody script back on top of the pile every chance he got that I hid the copy. I guess later I put it back and then forgot to keep it before he took them all away."

-"And bless me, you wouldn’t massage his ego by asking for the script again, would you?"

He cringed.

She looked about choosing the words. -"Max, I don’t think you consider him a real friend anymore. Niles just became a convenience to you."

-"Bollocks!" He said sternly. -"C.C. take that back!"

-"I should, I could, and I would, if what I just said wasn’t true!" She responded in the same tone.

Mr. Sheffield fidgeted in his place. He felt very unsettled to hear that from her. He knew somehow she was right but even though things had changed between the two arch-enemies he was not about to take that from a woman who weeks before would have killed the man with her bare hands if he said "ah." -"Who are you to talk about friendship with me, C.C.?" He asked firmly but gently. -"You always hated the man! You are the one who despises him, not me!" He pretended not to know about their relationship.

C.C. planted her hands on her narrow hips in disapproval. -"And still, I was the one who read, convinced him to perform, and directed part of his work so he could prove to his best friend his great talent." She said dryly before she strode from the room after her man.

* * * * * * *

Minutes later Mr. Sheffield went behind his desk in his study and sat back down. He started rifling through one of his drawers without caring to turn any lights on. -"Now, where did I put those antacids that Fran gave me…?" His mind raced and he felt he could slap himself hard on the cheek. -"I made a buffoon out of myself and I could also kick myself bloody for that!!" He shook his head to clear his thoughts but it was nothing but a mess; he needed his wife.

When Maxwell was confused that way there were only two people who could help him think straight. One was the source of his current turmoil, the other one was Fran. He thought of calling her on her cell but remembered that she should be at Dr. Reynolds by then, not exactly the proper time for a ring.

Despite C.C.’s words that had begun to pound on his brain like wicked hammers he had to concede that maybe she had the right to bitch him a little. American English, fictional reality, rock opera, tragic comic, Niles C.C. - never mind the oxymoron - as much as it cost him to understand, to conceive, or even to accept, his business partner and his butler were lovers now and C.C. was right about the way he’d been acting with Niles. For the first time in years he heard a lucid, well-thought-out objection coming out of her mouth. And even though she sounded like a malicious, spiteful, overbearing woman most of the time, in that particular instance she couldn’t be more… one more time, right. Niles was more than a brother to him, sometimes a father, sometimes a father to his own kids. But Max realized that one must be a friend to have one. Friends are equal. Without equality, you can’t have a close friendship. Besides, the basis of being friends is meeting the needs of the other person sometimes. Paying expenses for a heart attack therapy, or giving the man pompous Christmas bonuses had nothing to do with friendship, but treating well a valuable employee. But it hasn’t always been like that. So when was it exactly that Niles had become a convenience, say, one of his household appliances? How and when did that happen?

He used his remote to turn his stereo on, folded his arms on the desk and laid his head on them while waiting for some music to start playing. -"Lovers…" He mumbled in disdain. -"She’s playing with him like a cat plays with its prey." He chuckled. -"And he? Ha! He doesn’t care! He still dislikes her, I’ll bet. They didn’t hit it off well since the beginning. It wouldn’t happen now, twenty balmy years later! He’s cooking something." He muttered without moving his head. Pensively. -"Who’s fooling who…?" Max licked his lips. -"…Why not? They look good together." He raised his head for a second. -"Besides, she’s a beautiful woman. Most men would be afraid of her but not Niles. He never went for the sugary type of gal. Perhaps C.C. makes him tick after all. God knows she would make any man tick, if it weren’t for her temper. That’s it, he might be really enjoying being with her." He lowered his voice and looked about. -"What am I worried about? The children are upstairs and C.C. must be with him; I’m alone here." He sneered. -‘So, where was I?’ He thought and frowned. -"Oh, yes…and Niles? Niles was always an A-list cocktail party guest. He’s such a good "mingler," like Fran says. He’s always ready with an entertaining anecdote or an intriguing perspective on current events." He smiled shyly. -‘I wish I were like that.’ This thought he didn’t dare to let out loud then jumped with a start. -"Wait a minute, that too! I guess C.C. could have fallen for him as well, why not? The man was well educated, he’s handsome, suave, and-and-…makes women laugh… A lot of the successful women I know focus more on personality, self-esteem, and other more intangible qualities than just a bank account. Yes, Niles always gave off vibes that he is hot stuff. I’ve seen how women get soaking wet over him sometimes." Max nodded at his discovery then his mouth fell for a split sec. -‘And he was the one who introduced me to the sex-lexis, so to speak. I’m well aware of his system on how to transform low-libido women into in-heat machines!’ The Producer gave an indecorous chuckle. -‘One round with the Blonde and he must have her eating out of-…’ He cleared his throat. -"Behave man, you’re a gentleman."

But suddenly a brief feeling of imbalance came over him. -‘Could it be?’ He thought for a split second. -‘Could I be jealous?’ He corrected his conception quickly as if anybody could ever listen to what he was thinking. -‘Not over C.C., of course not! If what is going on is more than their "daily lately" I’m very happy for them, but-…’ He exhaled sharply as his head and arms went back to their original position on top of the desk. -‘But could I have been jealous of Niles and-and-…Fran and not ever realizing it?’

C.C. left the living room taking Niles’ opposite direction. She stalled in the kitchen for a while afraid that Max could come after her demanding a rectification. When he didn’t show up, she went upstairs after the Butler.

The whole operation could not have taken more than five minutes, but when she got to his room he was nowhere to be seen. -‘Oh no, not again!’ She thought terrified at the idea of having him disappearing without a trace again. The only consolation was; his drawers and clothes seemed untouched.

She lay on his bed for a moment and thought of him. Niles had had worse quarrels with Maxwell before and never reacted that seriously. What happened? He had been troubled over family problems lately and hadn’t been her regular Niles; his fuse seemed shorter than ever.

Her eyes drifted across to a scrap-board that he had on the wall hanging over his desk. There were pictures of him with Grace on his shoulders when she was little, one with Brighton in roller skates and hockey uniforms playing in a park, he, Fran and Maggie at Christmas, and a smashing photograph of him in a ski suit which she recalled being taken when they spent the weekend with the Clinton’s. But why didn’t he have a picture of her?

-"Well, duh?" She let out almost instantly.

Their romance wasn’t out in the open yet. But would it ever be? She took another look at the kids with Niles and imagined what a great father he would probably be if he wanted to. -‘My biological clock is tickin’ like this, and with the way this case is goin,’ I ain’t never gettin’ married!’ In her mind she mocked Marisa Tomei on "My Cousin Vinny." But again, would she ever? Besides, it was her call. The ball was in her court and she refused to play. -"Ah, what difference does it make? Married or not married you know kids are out of the equation." She secretly recalled some cruel words he foretold her the day they got stuck in that freezer.

Minutes later she lazily stood up and decided to call it a day. She was furious with Maxwell and thought there would be no way for her to go back to work without eventually biting his head off. She wanted to leave a message for Niles but again was afraid that someone might enter his room and find her note there. She would call him later…

When that introduction ended, Maxwell Sheffield pressed the pause button to his CD player. He then realized for the first time since Lou Rawls recorded that song in the 80’s why he considered all the subsequent dozens of versions, including the smash cover by Bette Midler, dreadful. He simply couldn’t identify with anyone but Rawls’ recording and now he knew why; he smiled timidly then let the song play a little longer...

"Did you ever know that you’re my hero?
And everything I would like to be?
I can fly higher than an eagle,
for you are the wind beneath my wings."

He paused it again...

-‘You definitely were, are and always will be, old man.’ Max admitted in silence. -‘And even though it costs me to accept, I understand now that since Fran walked through my door for the first time I went bonkers about her and I always envied the way you two bonded right from the start.’ He sighed loudly. -‘You were pushing us together, I know, but I also know that you always saw her as a beautiful woman. My fear was... My fear was that someday you might have ended up falling for her or perhaps her for you.’ He laughed nervously. -"My God, that’s it!" He let out loud. -‘I used to respect him so much. Even depend on him for a great deal of things. I wouldn’t have made it here in America if it hadn’t been for the man! I went through so many jams in the beginning! I was in my early 20’s with loads of money. If it hadn’t been for him...I would...’ He shook his head. -‘I might have lost everything just looking for people’s approval!’ He bit his lower lip guiltily. -‘I even feared for his life in a way I never feared for my father; and how do I pay the man?’ He growled. -"C.C. is right." His eyes widened. -"Even Lou Rawls is right, for Pete’s sake!" He hit the play button again...

-‘That does it! Things will have to change. If the man ever speaks to me again after this, I’ll see that things improve for him!’ He recalled that his wife was about to give birth, that they were about to relocate, and-and-and... -‘Ugh, I’m afraid everything will have to wait until we move to California. But that’s a deal! Just to start with, I hope I can help him to approach his parents again and then…We’ll see about then; first things first.’ He dropped his head on top of the desk again.

This time "Wind Beneath My Wings" went on…

"Did you ever know that you are my hero?
And everything that I would like to be.
I can fly higher, higher than an eagle,
I said, you are the wind beneath my wings..."

* * * * * * *

On the way to her penthouse Miss Babcock realized she had nothing at her place to munch on and that it would be especially embarrassing if Niles showed up to have a heart to heart with her. She had finally gotten her car back from the dealer – almost eight weeks so an electrical part could come all the way from Munich – and she was feeling "independent" again. So, she decided to buy a whole bunch of things for the week; that ought to help to take her mind off Niles’ little fight with Maxwell.

She wondered where she could go that she could park comfortably since she was not used to buying groceries. She would always order over the phone and have things delivered or have her housekeeper take care of that for her. -"Oo, there is a Wal-Mart like ten minutes from here. For the basics, that should do…" She thought out loud while making a turn and heading to the market.

She wheeled a cart in and started searching for some goods only to realize that for the first time in her life she was really enjoying that. She caught herself looking for somebody else’s favorite things for a change; and they weren’t Chester’s best liked kibble and treats. Niles’ favorite orange juice and peanut butter, his favorite microwave popcorn, his favorite chocolate cookies - oh, that reminded her; milk. He loved chocolate cookies and cold milk sometimes, especially before bed. She felt foolish but incredibly happy. Actually, she would feel happier if not every item she took out of the shelves reminded her of his sudden disappearance.

Half an hour later her cart was filled up to the top; funny how most of his favorites became some of her favorites. Niles was an incredible gourmet, but he would indulge himself in junk food sometimes.

She was ready to leave the parking lot when something else came to her mind. -"Aw, batteries! Damn, my alarm clock can sure use new batteries or Max is gonna kick my rear for good. I’ve been late for work every day!" She parked closer to the front entrance this time. -"Just for a miserable bunch of batteries? I hate markets!" She ran back inside and ordered a fresh pack of Energizers at the audio & video. She leaned on the counter while waiting for the salesman to find the ones she wanted. Her eyes went as far as her thoughts were taking her when the figure of a man caught her attention. He turned his back to her but she could see he was choosing some compact disks. God, she was seeing the man everywhere she thought to herself. From afar at least he really resembled Niles in every detail. The lights reflected on the glass-wall between them troubled her view. -"Turn around, will ya?" She played, dying to have a peek of the man’s face. And as if answering her request the man turned around. He was looking totally relaxed when he spotted the Blonde. Like two magnets their eyes met. C.C. rose from her elbows the same time he slowly got rid of the headphones. The salesman came back with the batteries and C.C. rushed by and yanked the tiny package out of his hand determined to pay for them later. -"You’re welcome." The clerk whispered startled by the scene. Her heels clicked down the pavilion.

The Butler walked a few steps towards the Blonde as she jumped around his neck then clasped his face and gave him a scandalous kiss, not a bit ashamed of the audience.

-"Boy, is that guy lucky or what? Get a load of that!" The clerk said to another customer.

-"Whoa!" The other man simply conceded.

-"I don’t believe it!" C.C. said when they broke for air. -"Things like this don’t happen in real life! Not in New York, at least."

He chuckled holding her tightly. -"Come on, you followed me here."

-"My heart did." She slapped his chest. -"Don’t ever do that again."

-"Do what?"

-"I didn’t know where the deuce you were! I was so worried about you! I went crazy trying to figure out where you could be-… I-…" Seriously. -"I thought you had vanished again."

He smiled and muttered a "no."

Getting a thought. -"Jesus Niles, what the heck are you doing here?"

-"I could ask you the same question. I never thought a Babcock would set foot in a place like this." He let out in pure sarcasm.

-"Don’t tell my mother."

-"Hmm…" He narrowed his eyes in a devilish expression. -"May I tell Fran?"

-"Cut it out." She giggled. -"Anyway, my kitchen is deserted! I have tumbleweeds in my fridge; I needed some food."

-"You eat batteries now?"

-"The groceries are in the car, Inspector Gadget."

-"You, buying goods? Heavenly days!"

She pinched his rear gently.

He mouthed an "ouch."

-"What about you?"

-"Well, I left the house and walked around to cool off my temper. Found myself on Broadway, 5^th Avenue… the Park. At the mall I left my riding boots for some fixing. I walked around for a while longer and ended up here."

-"Your boots need fixing? I thought they were new."

-"Indeed, they are, but the soles were too slippery."

-"So, I assume our riding is still up?"

-"What riding are we talking about?"

-"Niles!" She cut him off and looked about.

He chuckled again. -"You bet it is up." He said mischievously. -"For you, it is always up."

-"Oh, G-d…"

He chuckled.

-"I’ll be counting the minutes." She conceded.

-"So will I. We’ll fix a date later."

-"Now, Niles…"

-"Yes?"

-"About your play…"

-"C.C., I don’t want to talk about it if you don’t mind. You helped me and I’ll be forever thankful, my love, but-…"

-"But Maxwell didn’t mean-…"

-"I’ll talk to him later, okay?"

-"Just don’t be so angry at Maxwell. You know him better than I do. Sometimes he’s all distant; even with his children."

-"I’m not angry, just a tad tired. I went out not to argue with him, that’s all. But right now, I really don’t want to talk about it."

-"Okay." She gave him a peck on the lips. -"Anyway, what are you choosing there?"

-"I’m not. I was just killing time."

-"Oo, the best hits of Richard Marx? You cheesy, you!"

-"Excuse me for being romantic sometimes."

-"I’m teasing you! I like the guy, especially this song here."

-"Hmm, "Right Here Waiting"? That could be us, don’t you think?"

-"Why do you think I like it?" She smiled. -"I heard he wrote that for his wife Cynthia Rhodes."

-"Who the devil is she?"

-"Actress, dancer and singer? Actually, we had our eyes on her before she moved into movies."

He thought for a sec. -"Oh, the hottie from "Staying Alive," I remember now."

-"Just pretty." She contested. -"And yes, she was on "Dirty Dancing" too."

He smiled. -"So, she was his muse, ey?"

She nodded.

-"Do you have it?"

-"The CD?"

-"Yes?"

-"No."

-"I’ll buy it then. It’s yours."

-"For me? No kidding?"

-"Can’t I give you a gift?" He winked at her.

-"Thank you." She whispered and grabbed the jewel box as if she just married it.

Niles paid for the album and C.C.’s batteries. -"Let me get this straight."

-"What?"

-"If your things are in the car. Are you telling me that you came all the way back in here just for a pack of batteries?"

-"Yes."

-"Boy, what else were you planning on buying - you know, for fear of my impending absence?" He jested chauvinistically.

-"Shut up, Niles!" She protested gently shoving her body against his in disbelief.

-"Close your mouth, will you?" He grinned. -"You look like a fish."

-"That was rude."

-"Sorry."

-"Besides, remember the other day in my room when I said I needed to ask you something and then you made me completely forget what it was?"

-"No."

-"I said, Niles, I need… and you interrupted me saying…" Mimicking his sensual voice. -"…"I know what you need"…"

He chuckled viciously.

She noticed the gleam in his eyes and blushed. -"Anyway, you were right. That was exactly what I needed at that moment." She gave a throaty laugh. -"But I also needed batteries for my alarm clock."

-"Ohhh…"

-"Ohhh…" She mimicked him.

-"Mientras, when are we going out, you know, horseback riding?" He changed the subject.

-"When is your next day off?"

-"Saturday. By the way, I want to see some polo-shirts, come on."

-"You don’t need them, you know that." She held him to her.

-"Would you stay put and follow me?" He pulled her towards the men’s clothing.

Niles chose a couple of shirts but C.C. kept tricking him never letting him settle for any. -"Come on C.C., tell me what you think." He asked in a lower tone while pulling her into an unattended fitting room to help him to choose.

-"I think you don’t need to buy any. Besides, you have lovely shirts at home. That blue one, for instance."

-"That is a T-shirt and it is old."

-"Aw..And how about that lovely light yellow polo-shirt?"

-"Which one?"

-"The Lacoste."

-"Oh."

-"You see, you have tons of them and you don’t even remember."

-"But I want a new one."

-"And he calls me "prima donna"."

Ignoring. -"What about this one?"

-"Aw, please. For starters I shouldn’t be here. This is the men’s fitting room?"

-"There’s nobody around; relax."

-"I want to go home, Niles. I want to get rid of these heels."

-"Come on, navy or teal?"

-"Neither."

-"Okay, I’ll buy this one, then. Like it or not."

-"Who said I don’t."

-"So?" He raised both again.

-"It’s just that I prefer you out of them." She inched his shirt out of his pants.

-"Simmer your hormones down, lady. We’re in a public store and I sure don’t want to end up in jail for a total lack of decorum." He quickly gathered both T-shirts in one hand and pushed her away gently.

Frustration etched in her face. -"Niles, you just said it; there’s nobody here but us. Don’t you want to give it a try?" She played.

-"No, thank you very much." He avoided her eyes with a smirk on his face.

She choked a laugh. -"Sometimes I feel like if we’re part of a Chekhov play."

-"That makes me wonder, I don’t think this theater thing is going to work out." He decided to change the direction of the conversation because she was driving him hot in that place. -"Mr. Sheffield would never produce anything I wrote."

-"I thought you didn’t want to talk about it."

-"Yes, but I think this will take your mind off other things." He chuckled in his baritone tone.

-"For your information, it won’t." She said with a twinkle. -"Anyway, even if it doesn’t work out you can always get back to your other career." She checked him out.

-"Butlery?" He took off his coat and hung it up.

-"Nope. Male modeling." She played.

-"Yeah-right, Jessica Tandy. Now, navy or teal?"

-"I mean it. And when I called you Hume Cronyn it’s because you were driving me nuts on that particular day. Besides, that ad campaign had its target on people under 25; you doubled that, my dear."

-"Mmm." He said with a pout.

-"Not to mention that I said that before I saw you showing up in those tight clothes. Too many years of seeing you in those suits somehow blurred my imagination."

-"Liar." He took off his jacket and raised the navy shirt in front of him.

-"I swear." She watched him. -"I had no idea you had gone back to your great shape. You know nobody turns me on the way you do."

He groaned but resisted her. -"Navy…?" He switched colors. -"…or teal?"

She sighed loudly. -"You are a pain in the tail, you know that?" He arched his brow and she smiled at him. -"I love you in navy."

-"Navy then."

-"But this shade of teal seems to make these piercing eyes of yours even more penetrating." She let out mischievously.

He hung the "polos" up on a hook and took off the shirt he was wearing. -"You are asking for trouble, Miss Babcock."

-"And you are making it easy for me, aren’t you?" She shot him an obscene look.

He turned around and avoided contact with her eyes while pulling the sleeves of his own shirt inside out again. -"Now, make up your sick mind."

-"My sick mind is made up already. Let me have a look at you." She spun him around, gently yanked his shirt out of his hand, dropped it carelessly on the floor and started a fiery trip of her hands over his chest. -"Not bad."

He felt a chill. -"You’re crazy, you know that?"

-"Crazy about you." This turn her lips joined her hands in that journey.

-"Oh sh…!" He harshly turned her around not wanting to be touched by her. -"Stop C.C., you are playing with fire."

-"I do hope so." She smiled.

He held her still. -"Stop, woman." His hot breath warmed her as he bent forward and kissed the backside of her head; staying that way for a second trying desperately to master his thoughts.

As he eased his grip she stepped forward and dropped off her coat. He caught it before it fell on the floor and hung it over his. He knew she wouldn’t make things easy for him; she was determined to seduce him there. Cupping her shoulders he brought her against his torso again.

The idea of having sex with him there sounded frightening at first, but exciting the same way. -"I think it was Billy Crystal who said, "Women need a reason to have sex. Men just need a place"." She said coyly and dropped her head to one side exposing her neck to him. He sucked it gently and ran his tongue brazenly over her smooth skin. She sighed contentedly as his eyes drifted shut and she watched his face in the mirror.

The desire to turn her around and bury her body in his arms made him weak when he desperately needed to be strong. -"C.C., I don’t want to be a turn-off my love, but please-please, don’t do this to me. Not here." He murmured struggling to keep his voice even.

-"I told you that you were gonna pay for all your kinkiness, didn’t I?"

-"In the kitchen, yes, I remember."

-"And what did you say?"

-"I don’t have the foggiest."

-"You said, I hope I can meet your expectations by then."

-"I said that, didn’t I?"

-"Yep."

He moaned. -"What an imbecile."

She giggled. -"But perhaps you are right, perhaps it’s not a good idea after all." Although her mouth said one thing, her body said another. Her head rocked gently from side to side giving him full access to her neck and her hair became a veil over her face, hiding her fiery emotions.

Her expert ministrations were clouding his judgment and despite his protests, he made no attempt to make her stop. Not able to wait any longer Niles failed. -"Aw, come here." He slipped one arm around her waist and with a strong pull he fitted her backside to his hard, masculine front.

C.C. was startled by his sudden move; the heat of his bare chest burning her smooth back. The air held anticipation and sent shivers racing up the back of her knees.

His jaw clenched. -"You love to slip it in under the wire, don’t you, you nutcase?"

She knew there was no return then.

Niles was angry at himself for not being able to resist her at such an improper place. He cupped her firm supple breasts in his hands squeezing them gently.

She responded to the stimulation by tilting her head back against his shoulder. He kissed from her neck to her chin and as she turned to him offering more and more, he captured her face furiously and yanked her mouth to his probing her lips. She responded by opening them and touching his tongue with her own. Her mouth was sweet and tasted so good. She couldn’t keep herself from trembling as a deep moan escaped her throat vibrating in his throat. Repeatedly he moved his mouth over hers, even less gently, molding her lips, shaping them with his own. The peaks of her breasts felt harder as he kneaded them. He fought the growing excitement that threatened to overtake him by breaking the kiss. But as he looked at the lusty look on C.C.’s face, it seemed as though she would do anything now. -"You like this don’t you, you crazy witch?"

She smiled broadly. -"Pretend you don’t."

When she restarted rotating her buttocks against him he warned in a dark whisper. -"Easy now. Aww, go really easy!" Her cheeks were cushioning him; her eagerness stroking his pride. C.C. moaned once again and a slow and bright fire spread wildly throughout her pulsing body.

Niles lifted his head reluctantly and groaned. -"I hate you for this."

She chuckled. -"Yeah, right."

He grunted lowly. -"Lord, why did I have to come to this place?"

-"Fate; remember, we’re a pair of disaster magnets?" She grinned.

He threw his head back. -"This is madness!"

She glanced at his writhing face, only risking the question because she already knew his answer. -"You want to stop?"

He couldn’t say another word. His mouth was working voraciously on the skin of her neck as one of his hands encircled it; his hold was firm but still very gentle.

What made Niles so very special was that he proved to be an unselfish lover, inventive, generous. The men C.C. had in her life knew very little or nothing about foreplay, not to mention that in the end they simply rolled over and promptly fell asleep. Foreplay was where the Butler excelled. No one needed to tell her he was from a rare breed. His slow and sometimes not so slow touch, the way he titillated her verbally and physically. He seduced her with his eyes, with his words, with his hands, with his lips. Only then would he give her what they both craved.

She marveled at every single touch that came from him.

He suddenly turned serious. -"I’m miserable for having joked all these years about your looks, C.C."

-"I guess I helped with mine about you too."

-"You bet you did. But mine were stupid jokes, I mean…" He pointed at the mirror. -"…Look at you, woman!" He stood behind her.

She blushed as she tried to cover herself with her hands.

He gingerly grasped them and pulled them away from her body staring at her in adoration. -"You are perfect, my love. You are simply a goddess." He hoarsely whispered in her ear and she squirmed.

Niles couldn’t bear it anymore; there was no time left for anything else but surrender to her.

The sensation he created was like fire. Her insides were now a jumble of jangled nerves begging to be played with. -"Niles, you are better than any fine liquor I ever tasted and the best is, I never get a hangover afterwards. This coming from me is a praise, you know?" She said dizzily.

-"I know, and it flatters me." He smiled. -"…and there is plenty in that bottle for you."

-"I can barely wait to get drunk." She groaned louder, holding on to him tightly.

He nibbled her lips. -"But you also know how to satisfy a man, don’t you?"

She grinned and kissed him again with the same eagerness.

That statement made the Blonde proud. However, by the time he finished she was completely out of breath, pinned against a wall, and limp with satisfaction.

"Attention Wal-Mart shoppers…: No gym? No problem. Wal-Mart has an extensive collection of fitness DVDs and accessories for all your workout needs…" to which Niles retorted ignoring the rest… -"And they let you try the "equipment" too. I’ll take this one." He pointed at the Blonde while looking at the speakers.

-"This is so surreal." C.C. mumbled to herself then broke into laughter.

Niles joined in. -"Come on, let’s get dressed and get out of here."

Minutes later they were at the parking lot sharing a long kiss next to her car. Niles chuckled when their lips parted.

-"What?" She asked suspiciously.

-"What??"

-"I know." She smiled evilly. -"I wonder where it will be next time?"

-"Surprise-surprise-surprise!"

-"After this, nothing will surprise me anymore." She laughed throatily.

-"I know what you mean." He mumbled as his eyes followed a shopping cart crossing part of the parking lot due to unleveled ground.

-"Whoa, Poltergeist." She jested.

-"You know what’s the difference between a blonde and a shopping cart?"

-"Ah, there he goes again."

-"Shopping carts seem to have minds of their own."

-"Niles, you know one thing that I learned from life?"

-"N-…"

-"Do you know why most blonde jokes are one-liners?"

-"No." He replied with a smirk.

-"So men like you can remember them."

-"Touché!" He kissed her lightly. -"But I also learned something from life today." He said in feigned wonder.

-"What?"

-"That you can never go to Wal-Mart and just take one thing."

Her eyes flew open and she burst into laugher. "Now you know why they have those iconic smiley faces all over the place."

He laughed curtly. -"You got it." Then shook his head in disbelief. -"Anyway, you accomplished your mission." He pulled her closer. -"You made me feel so disconcerted that I couldn’t buy that polo shirt after all. By the way, do you think anybody was able to connect the dots?"

-"I know we were."

He rolled his eyes. -"I mean it."

She laughed. -"Naa, you came out of there about a minute before I did. Nobody saw us together."

-"Yeah, but did you have to yell to the fitting room lady: "There’s no toilet paper in there!"

-"Oh, you heard me?"

-"Of course I bloody heard you. I was waiting outside."

-"Well, I got caught! How else was I supposed to justify my presence in the men’s fitting room, Buster? Better they think that I was a nut than…"

-"…a nymphomaniac nut."

Ignoring. -"Anyway, it worked. She was so shocked at the idea that I painted that she didn’t even budge. Thank God the store was sort of empty today." She said smiling.

-"I say. But you wouldn’t stop even if it wasn’t, would you?"

-"A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory." She smiled to herself.

-"Sometimes you make me act like a boy."

-"Oh, pardon my hormones! You could always have said ‘no,’ couldn’t you?" She added fed up with being blamed for their mutual intemperate act.

-"Yes, now that is over."

-"Could you or couldn’t you?" She insisted.

-"All right. Let’s end this argument, shall we? We just had a fabulous time together and that’s what matters. No harm done."

She smiled. -"Wanna go to my place?"

Niles thought for a second. -"Well, I don’t know. Will two people fit under a rock?"

C.C.’s mouth gaped. -"You’d lose the girlfriend but wouldn’t pass up a chance to make a remark, would you?"

Niles chuckled. -"No."

She snarled. -"Anyway, your place or mine?"

-"Both. You go to yours and I’ll go to mine. I have to go."

-"What? Aren’t you coming with me?"

-"I already-.."

-"NI-les!" She surveyed the area with her eyes again.

He smiled crookedly. -"I’m sorry but I can’t go home with you right now. And knowing your eating habits, I’m sure you can’t come home with me either." He smirked. -"Most of your food should be put away in your freezer."

-"What do you mean ‘you can’t’?" She simply ignored his remark.

-"I just can’t. With our sketch being prepared I left tons of things behind this week. Besides, if we’re finally going horseback riding next Saturday, I have to run some errands first."

-"I bought lots of things that you like. Let’s have some tea or coffee together, then I’ll drive you home."

-"Be honest, all you want is someone to carry all the grocery bags up to your place?"

-"I could say the same thing about you; all you wanted was someone to calm you down. Job done, now you dump me, right?"

-"Remember, you were the one to harass me in there." He played boy-like.

-"As if you didn’t like it."

-"Well, so did you!"

-"Stop patronizing me!"

-"I’m not patronizing you. I’m mocking you."

-"You are disgusting."

-"You are unbearable."

-"You could join me if you wanted to." She said like a spoiled child.

-"Listen, I love when you pamper me but you were the one who said I could always have said ‘no.’ So this time is ‘no.’ No, I can’t go with you and that’s final."

-"All right, Mr. Crabapples and Vinegar, one of these days you’ll smile and the world will come to an end!"

He sneered. -"Says who?"

-"Says me, that’s who."

He inhaled sharply. -"Miss Babcock, I am not arguing with you. I left that house in order not to lose my temper with my boss. I’ll be going now for not wringing the neck of the woman I love over some petty thing, do I make myself clear? Thank you. See you tomorrow." He crossed the parking lot and hailed a cab on the other side of the street.

-"That’s what you get for being nice!" She flopped in her car seat and slammed her door closed. -"He didn’t need to be rude." Her voice faltered.

She was looking for her keys seconds later when a knock on her window startled her; it was Niles. -"Open up!" He signaled for her to roll down "the handle".

-"What do you want?" She asked sternly as she lowered the power window just an inch.

-"I’m sorry, my love. I shouldn’t have spoken to you the way I did. Thank you, for inviting me to your place and…" He sighed loudly then grinned. -"…and you were incredible in there."

-"You too." She couldn’t hide a naughty smile.

-"I guess you just gave a new meaning to the words "fitting room," didn’t you?"

-"And you to the words "Extended Warm-Up"."

His voice tender. -"Besides, you were so kind this morning when we put that sketch together."

The electric window shield lowered to the very end and she looked up at him. -"Apologies accepted."

-"I’ll never forget that, Babcock. Honest to goodness." Having said that he stuck his face inside the car and kissed her boldly. -"I love you."

-"Hm, that is so much better." She grunted in a cute way.

-"I’ll whip myself when I get home, my queen, I promise." He said it in a feign, subservient tone.

-"Oh, don’t do that." She said lady-like.

-"I shall not?"

-"No." She mimicked the tone. -"Nobody leaves marks on your back but me." She changed to a very sensual tone.

He groaned. -"You are so mean." Then winked at her.

She laughed. -"I love you too. But do you really need to go?"

-"Yes, I must."

She had question marks all over her face.

-"All right, I’ll tell you. I haven’t been able to locate my parents yet - reason why I admit - I’m grumpier than usual. I left them a message and I’ve been expecting them to call me. I’d like to be there if that happens."

-"It’s not only that, is it?"

-"No." He smiled feebly. -"I also don’t know how Mr. Sheffield and I will face each other. I’d really prefer you not to be present if things get ugly. There are a few things that I might say to him but I’d only say them in private."

-"I see. Gosh, Niles, I wish you luck. About your parents, I mean."

-"Then keep your fingers crossed. You know how you were always my lucky charm, don’t you?"

-"I promise." Then did as she vowed.

-"Thank you." He smiled. -"Now, I ought to go, my love. My cab is waiting and the meter is running." He grabbed her hand, kissed her crossed fingers lightly then left in a hurry.

-"Promise me you’re not letting things get ugly with Max!" She begged loudly.

-"I promise I’ll try!"

She followed him with her eyes and a grin that went from ear to ear. -"You’re crazy." She muttered.

* * * * * * *

In his study, Max awakened groggy from a fitful sleep at his hard desk. His neck ached, and the arm on which his head had rested tingled and was numb. His throat felt raw and his face bore the crease mark of the jacket sleeve on which his cheek had rested. -"Good Heavens, where is everyone? Four o’clock already?" He looked at his watch realizing that C.C. was probably gone hours ago and Fran should be home soon. -"I might as well take a shower and change." He rushed upstairs.

The Butler arrived about ten minutes later and went about his affairs only meeting Mr. Sheffield at dinnertime.

-"Niles, I wanted to apologize about this morning. That quarrel was unnecessary." Mr. Sheffield started before he sat down to eat. -"You see-…"

-"What quarrel?" Fran jumped in before Maxwell could finish the sentence. -"I knew there was something wrong between you guys."

-"Fran I-..." Maxwell tried.

-"First I call the house after Niles; nobody seems to know where he is."

-"I went to-..." Niles tried to move into the conversation but failed too.

-"The kids tell me that you, Max, were napping in the den and that C.C. had left the house enquiring everyone about where Niles could have gone. I thought to myself, "C.C. after Niles, call the Nut-wagon"!"

Niles arched his eyebrow.

-"Then I get home and you are in your bath robe, watching TV upstairs."

-"I-..."

-"You never watch TV upstairs during the day."

-"It’s becau-..."

-"Then Grace blabs something about a musical sketch directed by C.C. with Niles in the leading role?! I think, "Oh, this is sooo twice as we-eeird"!"

-"Err…" Max tried again.

-"And how come nobody told me anything about it?"

-"It was supposed to be a surprise to Mr. Sheffield." Niles argued.

-"Well, I know how to keep a secret, don’t I?" Fran looked at the two inquisitively.

Max and Niles shot each other a conspiratorial look.

-"Wha’?"

-"Fran, my love." Maxwell tried again to get a word in.

-"You know what? Ever since I got pregnant you guys don’t show any consideration. You just keep me over and over out of the looooop.." She whimpered like a child.

-"Darling-…" Maxwell stood up and comforted her. -"You know this is not true."

At this moment Maggie, Brighton and Grace entered the dining room.

-"Cut!" B. jested pointing an imaginary camera at Fran.

-"Don’t start with me, Mister!" Fran pointed her finger at him accusingly.

-"Is our Mommellah having mood swings again?" Grace mumbled candidly. (*) (*) Mommy.

-"What were you talking about anyway?" Maggie asked almost rhetorically while sitting at her place.

-"Frankly, I haven’t got the slightest idea." Max answered and sat down again. -"We started talking about-…" He hesitated watching Niles’ dry look. -"…-theater."

-"Yes, but in seconds we saw ourselves inside "Fran Fine Sheffield’s Facts of Life - The series"." Niles concealed his anger from the rest of the family.

-"Oy.."

-"My.."

-"G-d." The three kids muttered in a sequence just like Huey, Luey and Duey.

The Brunette whimpered a second longer.

-"Okay my love; let’s eat peacefully, shall we? I’ll tell you all about it later." He looked at Niles again.

The Butler ignored.

Fran swallowed the tears. -"K…"

Niles shook his head and rolled his eyes as he prepared to serve supper.

-"Fran, I wanted to ask you something." Grace decided to change the issue.

-"Sure sweetie, what is it?" As if nothing had happened.

-"A girlfriend of mine there at school asked me if there is anything such as a Bar Mitzvah for girls?"

Brighton chortled. -"There’s no such thing, Yentl!"

-"Why not, yutz?"(*2) (*2) (Hapless, clueless…)

-"Hey, watch it!" B. pouted.

-"Stop you two!" Max demanded. -"I said I wanted to eat in peace."

-"You know, sweetie, you’re wrong." Fran pointed to the boy.

-"Ha!" Gracie supplied victoriously.

-"The Bar Mitzvahs for girls are called Bas Mitzvahs and are usually for girls at age twelve; a 20^th century invention, actually."

-"Mmm..?" Maxwell recalled that he actually had heard about it before.

-"Sorry, sis." Brighton added confused. "I thought Jewish men were far more conservative!"

-"No…" Fran thought for a second and added under her breath. -"Although all you’re gonna hear in a Bas Mitzvah is the ancient Jewish praying, thank God I was not born a woman."

They all laughed.

The rest of the dinner was quiet. Actually it would have been quieter if it hadn’t been for Maggie pulling Brighton’s leg about Harvard half of the time.

C.C. went to bed with a book at about seven thirty. She tried hard to focus on the story but couldn’t help but miss her lover; she wanted him there with her. Except for their night by the pool, and some that she spent in his room, they spent most of their nights in her bed. They found it safer. Especially the evenings they had to rehearse "Yetta’s Letters" and she found it hard to explain to Maxwell why she should go back to the mansion at that hour instead of heading home. Niles would wait for her there, usually with a small romantic meal before they hit the sheets.

But apart from that feeling of emptiness, something else bothered her; not only the fact that Niles had some unfinished business with his family but also the way Maxwell had treated him that morning. She knew Niles’ temper and she was particularly uneasy with what could have happened when the two met at the house again that evening. She hated the idea of a real fight and Niles leaving to work elsewhere; especially now, especially "always."

She wanted to call his phone and ask about the outcome but she knew he would still be downstairs cleaning up after dinner. Besides, she was afraid she could make things worse. Niles was very nervous lately and she feared catching him in a bad moment. He would be rude with her and she sure would bitch him back. There, another fight on the horizon. Nope, better safe than sorry.

Meanwhile, Max and Fran had just returned from the movies. Maxwell decided to take her out to help with her mood swings. They were kissing in the foyer.

-"God, I love you so much." Mr. Sheffield found it hard to control himself.

-"You make me so happy, Sweety."

-"Want to be happier?" He muttered against her mouth.

-"Ooo, lead the way!!"

He smiled grabbing her hand and pulling her upstairs.

Niles heard their voices down the hallway, and their loving mood somehow annoyed him a little. He had his pillow against the headboard, his eyes on the ceiling, his mind, heart and soul on the Blonde; he missed her terribly. But he needed to be home when his parents called, if they called. That thought haunted him not letting him sleep. -‘Why don’t they call?’ He kept asking himself; disregarding time zones.

Fran tucked herself in bed. Maxwell was far away in his thoughts and she for a second felt frustrated because all the fire he had displayed downstairs minutes before seemed to have disappeared. She turned the lamp off. -"Er..sweetie?"

-"Mm?"

-"No good night kiss? Not even a ‘sleep tight, sweetheart’?"

-"Oh my darling, I’m so sorry. Come here." He brought her closer as they cuddled.

-"You didn’t even look at me."

-"Of course I looked at you."

-"You didn’t."

-"Did too."

-"And how do I look?

-"Oh, you look gorgeous! You’re so sexy and young and beautiful."

-"Oh, so you did look." She mumbled not quite believing him.

-"Of course I did. And I also saw the new negligee that you bought. It’s fabulous." He kissed her gently.

-"Oh, so you really did look." Happy that he at least had noticed.

He chuckled lowly.

-"But something is wrong." Fran risked.

-"What?"

-"Something is wrong, honey. You had that look in your eyes."

-"What look, Fran?"

-"You know...That, "any word from the governor?" - look. You only have that look when you really fercock things up."

He chuckled curtly recalling C.C.’s words then went serious again. -"Indeed, my love." He exhaled loudly. -"You know me so well, don’t you?"

-"What are you so jittery about?"

-"It’s Niles."

-"Is this about that "quarrel" you guys were talking about?"

-"Yes."

-"Dish."

-"Well, you see, C.C. read his play and decided to help him with a small number to show me how good his material was. She used some of the guys from "The Letters" and they performed it downstairs this morning, that’s what we were talking about during dinner."

-"I see. Anyway, was it good?"

-"Oh, incredibly promising I must say."

-"Oy, if she did that I think Niles has her really hooked."

-"Yes. Yes, I think she has feelings for him too." He smiled. -"Isn’t that something?"

-"Only, it’s hard to classify what something that would be." Fran muttered.

-"It’s funny the way they try to conceal but you can tell they really care for each other."

-"Yeah, who would say?" Beat. -"Anywho, that’s not what’s bothering you."

-"No."

-"What’s eating you?"

-"He found out that I never read his play."

-"You didn’t read his play?" Casually.

-"No."

-"You didn’t read his play?!!" Way more incisively.

-"Aw, no! Not you too. Besides, you are the one who hates reading plays or books. Who would send the kids to the closest Blockbuster every chance she got?"

-"Max, that’s a completely different situation! That’s last minute homework! Reading plays is basically your job. Meanwhile, he is your friend! You know how good with words he is, how fun he is! How hard would it be just to take a peek?"

-"I don’t read friends’ nor family’s material, Fran, you know that."

-"Oh, please, what were Yetta’s letters, then, stuff that you found sitting in the dumpster?"

He was strapped for words for a second. -"That was just an influence a suggestion; not the product per se."

-"Baloney! Besides, remember that time when I was paranoid about him being a murderer?"

-"Yes?"

-"I ended up reading his play so I wouldn’t hurt him if I didn’t. Why couldn’t you?"

-"No, you read it because you heard the heroine was loosely inspired by you."

-"Whatevaa’!" Under her breath. -"The thing is, it turned out to be pretty cool. He’s good!"

-"You told me that. Your point?"

-"My point is, did you read it after I told you to?"

-"No."

-"And now it is gone. He turned it into a fanfiction a long time ago."

Beat. -"Ugh, I’ll be a monkey’s uncle."

-"Yes, and I hope your nephew is proud of you."

-"Fran, quit the derogatory remarks and help me to focus here, will you?"

Whining. -"Why didn’t you read the new play?"

-"What’s the matter, do your ears need glasses? I told you I don’t read my friends’ plays."

-"Oh, puh-lease, that was overruled sooo long ago, Max. Besides, Niles had already proven his talent to you, you know, with our play."

-"Indeed, and so did you, my love. But as local theater producers." He gave her a peck on the lips. -"I never could have imagined that besides all the talents the man possessed, he would be able to write so competently; it was a surprise. The thing is, he never took showbiz very seriously. Outside Elizabeth Taylor, I never saw Niles starstruck. Even in Liz Taylor’s case, I have reason to think that he was fooling around. He’s always fooling around. Did you see his pants?"

-"He wanted to screw me up. I had the neighbors’ Doberman - which I had walked that morning - at our back door. P.S.: That dog barks but he’s actually sweet. Anyhoo, that was an old pair of pants that he was wearing that day. He ripped it to make me feel guilty thinking the dog had attacked him." She gave a belly aching laugh.

-"How do you know that?" He frowned.

-"Oh, he told me days later." She continued to laugh.

-"So, I was right. Showing up that way to serve Miss Taylor’s tea. You see, that’s exactly what I mean! The man mocks those people with a straight face. He drove the producers of Brian Setzer’s band crazy, for some odd reason Lynn Redgrave seemed "slightly" in love with him, Cher became his poker buddy while she was here, Ben Vereen and Burt Bucharach wanted to hire the man. He treats these people like equals and most of them love that. As he usually says, Fran, he says, "Sir, where’s Richard Gere today? Brooke Shields is shooting TV commercials. Superstars are just like supernovas, they may reach a maximum luminosity one billion times that of the sun, but that only happens after they exploded."

Fran laughed. -"That is so true."

-"You know, it’s not like he is not serious about acting or singing or showbiz. He likes that and he really tries hard. The difference is, if the whole thing takes a nosedive, he puts on an act that he is really upset and hurt, but that is his way of mocking me too. Deep inside, he couldn’t care less."

-"My turn; what is your point?"

-"My point is - with all the pressure going on - how could I have guessed that he really had expectations about his play?"

-"Because now he has Miss Babcock, don’t you get it? He’s trying to change his life!"

-"Oh..." He scratched his chin. -"I haven’t thought of that. That makes sense."

-"Well, duh."

Ignoring her tone. -"The worst thing is that now I’m dying to read the play but if I ask him he might think it’s out of guilt."

-"Boy, you really kicked the bucket this time."

-"He’s mad at me."

-"Well, wouldn’t you?" Beat. -"Be happy I’m not your mother. I’d give you such a chamalyiah right now." (*3) (*3 Whack!)

-"A what?"

-"Never mind." She mumbled. -"He was so dry during dinner."

-"Like a bloody desert."

-"Now I know why."

-"I wish you had been here when it all happened. His face was unreadable. I thought he might quit for good this time."

-"And stay away from his muse? Naa… But now I know why C.C. was like crazy after him. She probably thought the same." Beat. -"And why didn’t you read his play?" She slapped his arm in a sudden change of mood.

-"Oh, for crying out loud, I was swamped! And again, how could I have imagined that he was that good?"

-"Regardless, Max. He’s your friend."

-"I know. I intended to read it later. But we were running against time! I was so busy trying to find some play that I could use, that I never imagined that I had something dangling under my nose. Besides, the man was driving me crazy with that script creeping its way up to the top of the pile again and again."

-"Aw sweetie, you just said it, he’s a prankster. He probably knew that it would annoy you."

-"Well, he was darn right."

She thought for a split second. -"Max, how come a man like him – a butler, I mean – can be such a tsadik all the time?"

-"A what "dik"?"

-"A tsadik. A man like you; distinguished for his scholarship."

-"Well, just like myself, sweetheart, he went to private schools there in England and then Oxford."

-"Oxford?"

-"He told you that."

-"I thought he was…you know…embellishing."

-"Nope."

-"But wasn’t his father a butler too?"

There was a long silence as Maxwell pondered. Since Niles’ sister passed away, he had issues with his family and details about his life that he never wanted disclosed. -"Er, yes, my love. And he’s still alive; his father, I mean. But my father also had Niles as a son. He paid part of his studies until he became a man. Then my father insisted but he refused and with great sacrifice he kept paying them."

-"Boy, he’s tougher than I though."

-"That man has stories you wouldn’t believe." He said wondering.

-"Tell me some." She said nosily wiggling half atop him.

-"Not tonight my darling. I’m so worried about him. I just don’t know what to do."

-"Boy, you and that goyisha kup of yours!"(*4) (*4) Gentile head.

-"What can I do? That’s the only one I’ve got."

-"Next time lie until you can fix it or at least be more subtle!"

-"I was subtle."

-"Yes, like a garlic sandwich."

-"Stop yakking at me, will you. I can barely hear myself think."

-"Well, sorry for trying to help." She made a quick move jumping out of bed.

-"No-no, I’m sorry. Come here darling. Where are you going?" He jumped after her trying to grab her hand but failed.

-"I was thinking of having a soda and checking if he’s awake. I want to see if he’s okay."

-"He is. By the way, he doesn’t seem to be in the mood to talk."

-"You know, I hope God won’t punish you for that one."

-"Fran, don’t make me feel more guilty than I already am. C.C. almost slit my throat for that. Even she is on his side this time." He sat on the edge of their bed.

-"You see? Even "evil" supported your friend, why didn’t you? You’re so toasted."

-"Fran, why do I have the feeling to be seeing "Jesus Christ Superstar" again?"

-"Movie or play?"

-"Never mind."

-"You didn’t pass up that one too, did ya?"

-"FRAN!"

-"Just asking."

-"Listen, I want to forget this whole thing. Come here."

-"I don’t think I want a "true connection" with you tonight."

-"Believe me, by the moment I finish with you, you’ll be singing "More-more-more," sweetheart."

-"That was a horrible pun. It’s old."

-"It had to be. How else would you understand?"

-"Mr. Sheffield, you are mistaking me for somebody by the name of "Babcock." In my book that kind of remark was never foreplay."

He turned on his lamp and watched her with a smile.

She smirked and sensuously used her forefinger to call him.

He sighed. -"What-is-it?" He stood up and walked funny towards her.

She whispered provocatively. -"Boy, if I made you come with one finger imagine what I can do with my entire body."

Maxwell laughed out loud and pulled her to bed. She just pushed the door closed with a foot and followed him. -"Ooh, Mr. Sheffield."

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