[MaC] And So it Begins ... Marion

[Margaret Dean]

The dark red cocktail dress was several years old, but it fit
well, and flattered her figure and coloring, and besides, Marion
Mauberly was a professional woman, not a fashion plate.  And this
evening was strictly business, the journalist told herself as she
peered into the mirror and carefully applied lipstick.  It wasn't
as if she liked Marty Fitzroy, or particularly wanted to
socialize with him.  But he and his clients were News, and it
didn't do to alienate them.

So she'd go to his Christmas Eve party, and be bright and
sociable and chat everyone up while they were well mellowed with
Marty's drinks, and gather what she could.  But very soon now --
oh, she hoped it would be soon! -- there would be a day of
reckoning for Marty Fitzroy and everyone like him.

Marion finished her lipstick and studied herself in the mirror,
dark eyes looking back at her from under arched brows,
well-marked features framed by thick, black hair.  She carefully
affixed her earrings -- stars, for Christmas -- and then daubed a
few careful touches of scent under her ears.  Her expression
softened just a trifle at the smell of sandalwood.  Well, perhaps
not =strictly= business...

She emerged from her flat a few minutes later, carefully locked
her door, then walked toward the lift.  She'd promised to stop
for Vangie on her way up...


--Margaret Dean
  <margdean at erols.com>