[MaC] A pause in the music - Back in the lounge

[Jvstin(Mindspring)]

on 12/26/2004 6:40 AM Brenda McCartney said the following:
> --- Heather Mace <hmace at elfworks.com> wrote:
> 
> 
>>>James remained where he was with the stricken musician, but he
>>
>>turned
>>
>>>his head toward the entrance,where Nicola went to greet Pamela and
>>
>>Warren.
>>
>>>"Her eyes were open," said Anton with a shudder.  I saw the ... the
>>
>>stare."
>>
>>>"I'm afraid so," Pamela said in a voice that (though appropriately
>>>low-pitched and somber) reached the whole room. She dropped
>>
>>Warren's arm
>>
>>>to march Nicola right back to the settee. "Now, you aren't to
>>
>>worry, all
>>
>>>right? Everything is being taken care of. Here, can you do
>>
>>something for
>>
>>>me? This bag -- it's Mrs. Fitzroy's. She left it here earlier. Will
>>
>>you
>>
>>>take care of it until she gets back? I'd be grateful."
>>>
>>>"Of course, darling, don't worry," Nicola said, taking
>>>the bag and sitting down next to Anton on the settee.
>>>"Oh, my, my, my, what a horrible, horrible thing," she
>>>said, letting out a sigh. "I know you all must think
>>>she was just a wretched girl because of how she acted
>>>tonight, but she truly wasn't. I just don't know what
>>>made her act like such a hag this evening." She
>>>cleared her throat and turned Esme's purse over in her
>>>hands. "It's hard to believe not twenty minutes ago we
>>>were all laughing and toasting and now..."
>>>
>>>"'ow did she die?" demanded Marty.  "Drugs, was it?  I reckoned she
>>
>>was 
>>
>>>on drugs, the little tart."
>>
>>Marjorie just shook her head in shock.  "What a terrible
>>thing to say about the dead!" she said to Fitzroy.  "You
>>behave yourself...  there's people in shock here and you
>>ain't helping one bit."  She sat on the other side on
>>Anton and put an arm around his shoulders.  "There there
>>now..."
> 
> 
> Cyril scowled at Fitzroy, but unfortunately, was not surprised by his
> comment.

"Don't mind him old boy."  James said to Anton, not even deigning to 
give Fitzroy a look.  James sighed, smashed a fist into his palm and 
mused aloud.  "Everyone in the building was invited to the party, 
weren't they?" he said. "Every last one, social hermit or not."

"It's one of us." James deduced, unhappily.