Subj: The Working Man Part 5 of ?
Date: 12/29/99 10:01:13 AM Central Standard Time
From: Delilah Robbins
At lunchtime, Diabolos sneaked into the Blairs' New York flat. He had decided that looking like Nicholas could have some pretty entertaining advantages. Crossing to the former warlock's wardrobe, he opened its doors revealing twenty identical gray suits. Snatching one out of the cabinet, he departed just as stealthily as he'd entered.
Then, donning his protégé's trademark threads, he admired himself in a full-length mirror, as he looked forward to future plans. Yes, in this get up Maggie Evans Blair will never know the difference. Then we shall see what charms caused my number one guy's premature sabbatical. Self-satisfied, he changed back into his own clothes and returned to work.
Ross pulled the big D to one side as soon as he'd arrived. "Trevor wants to meet with us."
"When?"
Smirking, Ross pointed toward Trevor's closed office door. "About ten minutes. He's trysting with Margie right now." He tapped the face of his watch. "And that's how long it usually takes."
Diabolos grimaced. Just the thought of it made him want to vomit.
Like clockwork, the two disheveled figures materialized from their antiseptic love nest. Margie continued to adjust herself on the way out.
Howdy Doody performed his one syllable clap. "Well guys, you're probably wondering why I called you all in here."
"Yes!" The big D blasted.
Trevor glanced at his newest associate slightly annoyed.
Why is it that I always feel as though I'm working for him? He wondered. Shaking
the feeling, he continued on. "I'd like to congratulate this team for producing
the highest ratings that this show has seen in ten years." I think much of it
can be attributed to the new racy flair that Diabolos has brought to the story
line…"
The Big D's eyes lit up as Ross' face fell.
Trevor continued hastily. "…Tempered by Ross' good judgement!"
Ross stared at the Devil complacently.
"However, I'm left with a rather difficult decision and it could affect you Diabolos…or your brother at any rate."
The Devil's ears perked up. "Oh?"
Howdy Doody continued on cautiously. "It's the most baffling thing. Mr. Blair's an impeccable actor. In the beginning, we received tons of favorable mail from his fans but lately they've cooled off toward him." In fact, he has a generous share of hate mail!" Scratching his head nervously, he went on to solicit advice from his writers. "Well, I'll leave it up to you all. What should we do?" He addressed his newest associate. "Diabolos, I apologize that you're so close to the situation but sometimes that's just the way the business is."
Without hesitation the big D made his decision. "Let's write him off the show!"
There was a long pause. The only sound in evidence being, the repulsive clicking noise associated with Margie's nail clipping.
Ross was astounded at the big D's insistence on firing his own brother. At first he'd entertained the idea that it might be a case of sibling rivalry. Then he thought better of it. No, something just didn't check out. Big Red seemed obsessed with his little brother and now it seemed he wanted to wash his hands of him. It just didn't add up. What was Diabolos up to?
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Twilight descended on the city of New York and its enchanting lights sparkled like diamonds across the vast cityscape. That meant quitting time for the writers of General Dementia but not for its cast and crew. Diabolos had counted on that as he quickly changed into his ex number one guy's costume and galloped across the street to the Dip and Sip restaurant. Under the guise of Nicholas Blair, he intended to give Mrs. Blair, the night of her life.
As he looked for her amongst the other waitresses, the thrill of anticipation coursed through his body. When asked by the proprietor if he could help him, Diabolos nearly busted out laughing. "I'm looking for…my wife." The thought of his EVER being married was too comical to even imagine.
"Nicholas!" A sweet soprano voice beckoned. It was Maggie herself who had spotted him. Eagerly she crossed the crowded restaurant to embrace him warmly. Still holding his hands, she pulled back to look at him, a puzzled look ruffled her dainty brows. "What brings you here?" Her eyes widened in awe as she whispered in his ear. "I thought you hated this place, you're always trying to talk me into quitting!"
He started to answer but she cut him off with more questions.
"Are you on a dinner break? I thought you'd be working until seven at least."
Sheepishly, he looked her full in the face as he lied to her shamelessly. "We finished shooting early."
Alarmed, she touched his forehead. "Are you coming down with something? You sound hoarse, not like yourself at all!" Startled, she pulled her hand back as his cranium nearly burnt her fingertips. "Yes, I believe you are! You're burning up!"
Not used to being fussed over, he looked at her amused. "I'm fine, really! I suppose my voice is a bit shot because of the long day's shoot. As for my warm forehead…well, I did a little…weight lifting after work."
"I'm off in a few minutes." She continued to dote on him, ushering him to a seat in her station. "Well, you just sit down right here and I'll get you some coffee. How about something to go with it while you're waiting?"
Diabolos quickly scanned the wall menu. "Let's see…How about a bowl of chili?"
Maggie laughed involuntarily and then quickly covered her mouth.
The big D looked around the room. "What?"
She sniffled trying to fight back her obvious mirth. "I'm sorry Nicholas, chili is NOT a food I associate with you!" She waved her notepad in sweeping movements for emphasis. "I mean, Mr. Cosmopolitan New Yorker, I dine at Louis on the Wharf and order in French!"
"Just forget the whole thing then!" He grumbled. The bird was a lot smarter than she looked.
"Okay." She said warily, confused by the sudden moodiness.
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Maggie reentered the dining room, donning a navy blue mini dress and ready to depart the Dip and Sip. After Diabolos lifted her coat to her shoulders, he instinctively smacked her caboose, regretting it almost instantaneously.
"Nicholas!" She barked, out of breath and fuming. "What in Hell has come over you?"
What in Hell indeed, he thought to himself. I have to forget who I am and start acting like Nicky.
Feebly, he tried to find excuses for his behavior. "It was a fly… a fly!"
"Hmmmn."
Winningly he kissed her hand, desperately trying to get back into her good graces. "So my pet! Where shall we go for dinner?"
"Nicholas I have a roast thawing on the counter."
No, he thought to himself, Nicky would find them there together. "That will take much too long to prepare and I'm devilishly hungry. We're going out to dinner! You choose the restaurant my dear."
She smiled sinfully. "How about Henri's?"
"I am yours to command, my lady!" He uttered in his throaty voice.
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Maggie and her bogus husband were quickly seated at the finest table in Henri's. Within seconds, the proprietor Henri stepped up to greet them.
"Bonjour Monsieur Blair, Madame Blair!"
Maggie nodded hello as Henri turned to address Diabolos.
"Et comment la démence générale vient-elle ?"
Oh no! The big D cringed. He wants to speak in French and I'm pretty rusty. He answered the Frenchman slowly and carefully. "S'il vous plaît Henri parlent en anglais." He gestured toward Maggie. "Mme Blair ne parle pas français."
Henri smiled clearly abashed. "My apologies Madame Blair. For all this time I've rudely conversed with your husband in French while you've clearly been left out of the conversation."
Maggie merely smiled. "Oh, I don't mind at all, just as long as Nicholas orders in French, it's so impressive to me."
Diabolos gulped. "What would you like Maggie?"
Lost in thought, his counterfeit wife rolled her eyes, and then came to a decision. "I'd like the soup of the day and frogs legs as an appetizer."
That's a cinch! Diabolos thought to himself. "Je voudrais le potage le plus ancien que vous prenez et les ailes de batte comme apéritif."
Henri looked cross-eyed at his favorite customer as he ordered the oldest soup in the house with bat wings as an appetizer. He shook his head chuckling. That Mr. Blair has such a sense of humor. Henri mused. "Je vous apporterai monsieur habituel. I'll bring you the usual sir."
Diabolos called after him. "And bring us a tankard of your best champagne to wash it all down." That's right, He schemed. I'll get her nice and drunk. That way I won't have to work so hard at being Nicky.
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Maggie, sufficiently buzzed, decided to bring up a sore subject with her fraudulent husband. "Nicholas, have you given any more thought to what I asked you the other day?"
He looked up. "What was that my dear?"
"You know!"
"Well, kindly refresh my memory." He spouted, annoyed. How the Devil was he supposed to remember that?
Hesitantly, she took his hand. "About starting a family…I know you want to wait."
Diabolos didn't think he could contain the glee that welled up inside him. I knew it! She wants to start pushing out the pups and he wants no part of it! He couldn't suppress his laughter, indulging in peals of it.
Instantly hurt, she admonished him severely through gritted teeth. "I don't see anything particularly amusing about what I'm asking. You ARE a puzzle Nicholas Blair. Two days ago you acted cold when I asked you about this and now, today the idea is riotously funny!"
The Big D grabbed her hand as he feigned sincerity. "No, no you misunderstand! I've had time to think about the whole thing! My laughter is from all the joy I feel! Of course I want to have a family, immediately!" He shrewdly stopped his horns from rising, as he flashed her his sexiest bedroom eyes. "As a matter of fact I think we should start now, tonight!" He rubbed his leg up against hers under the table.
"Oh?" She returned his bedroom glance.
"Only let's live out one of my favorite fantasies. Let's pretend that we're not married to each other and that we're having an affair!"
"Hmmmn." She nodded in naughty agreement.
"I'll reserve a room for us at the Liberty Hotel."
To be continued…