Subj: One Fine Day (1)
Date: 3/23/00 7:04:13 PM Central Standard Time
From: Kallie
"Hi Ho Sliver"
"Oh Carolyn, do you think I'm mad?" Maggie said with a laugh, setting down her purchases on the vanity. "With all that is going on at Collinwood right now, here I am not only getting my hair done, but accepting a date with the hairdresser as well!"
Scrutinizing her new do in the mirror, Carolyn replied, "Hey, after being driven out of our house and home by Quentin the ghostie, we deserve a day of pampering". Frowning she spotted a newly formed pimple on her chin and leaned in closer to the mirror to attack it.
Through clenched teeth she added, "Besides that Fabio Fabreezi is a total fox! If I wasn't still reeling from being dumped by Chris, I'd go for him myself."
Turning away not wanting to witness the big squeeze, Maggie sat down on the settee and contemplated the fire. "I wonder if I am doing the right thing. It wasn't so long ago that I was engaged to Nicholas, and I feel kind of guilty about Joe too".
"Oh come on Maggie, you hardly remember anything about Nicholas. And do I have to remind you that it was Joe, who was seeing another woman?" She spouted indignantly, as she went to join Maggie on the settee.
Maggie knowing that Carolyn was right, but wanting to be convinced anyway, argued, "Well yes, but he said that SHE made him act that way." Her eyes widened innocently looking as if she actually believed it.
Rolling her eyes in disgust Carolyn remarked, "They all say that!" She couldn't believe that Maggie could be so naive to swallow such a line. "I'm sorry to say, but he's not the same old Joe we used to know anymore. But it doesn't matter anyway because the poor guy is now a resident basket weaver up at the Wyndcliff nut factory. And don't forget he DID try to kill Barnabas. Not exactly the qualities one looks for in a potential mate".
Then with an evil glint in her eye she added, "Of course if that is what your looking for in a guy, there's always Willie Loomis.
Throwing a pillow at Carolyn grinning from ear to ear Maggie conceded, " okay you've convinced me." And they had just set about discussing what she should wear, when they heard the sound of a floor board creaking outside the room.
**********************************************
Barnabas had been in a foul mood all day. He had a lot on his mind, trying to figure out how to save Amy and David from Quentin's influence, yet still find the time to help Chris out of his hairy situation.
It was beginning to wear on his nerves. And he wasn't so sure anymore that it would be even be possible to save Chris from the werewolf's curse. So for insurance, he decided to send his servant off to Bangor, to have some of the family silver melted down into bullets, just in case.
Willie had just come from the master bedroom where he had received his orders for the night. But upon hearing voices coming from Josette's room where Maggie had been staying, he decided that his errands could wait for a few minutes.
Cautious as a cat, he crept towards the room, being extra careful to avoid the spots on the ancient floor that might give him away. Then flattening himself against the wall just outside the room he began to listen.
Willie couldn't believe what he was hearing. How could Maggie even consider going out with Beauty Boy, and what kind of name was Fabio anyway? But what hurt worse was that Maggie seemed to enjoy it when Carolyn poked fun at him. Perhaps she was only being polite?
Shifting his weight, he heard the inevitable squeak of the floor boards and knew that the jig was up. So he pretended to just be nonchalantly walking by the door on his way downstairs.
But before he could make his escape, Carolyn's voice shot at him accusingly, "You were eavesdropping on us, weren't you?" With her hands on her hips and her eyes squinting angrily, she looked just like a bull about to charge.
Not about to admit his guilt, Willie placed his hand on his chest and expressed his innocence. "Me, eavesdroppin'? Carolyn you are way too suspicious. Don't forget I live here too." Then he looked right at Maggie and told her in a gentle voice, "I was on my way to Bangor to do a few errands for Barnabas. You can ask him yourself if ya want to."
Carolyn then noticed the two silver candlesticks poking out of both of pockets of his rust colored jacket and called him on it. "Stealing the family silver while your at it." She barked, while pulling one of the candlesticks out of his pocket as evidence.
He grabbed the candlestick back and told her that Barnabas wanted him to take the silver pieces with him. But Carolyn was not convinced, "What kind of secrets are you hiding Willie Loomis? That is the family silver, and I have the right to know what's being done with it!"
Carolyn could be such a pest sometimes, but if it was an answer she wanted, then an answer she would get. A very solemn look came over his face as he put his hand high up on the side of the door frame, then leaned forward to divulge the deep dark secret.
"Silver bullets." He revealed with a whisper all the while maintaining a serious demeanour.
Carolyn frowned, "Now really, what is Cousin Barnabas going to do with silver bullets?
Willie motioned the girls in closer and asked them, "Haven't you ever wondered, why you've never seen Barnabas in the daylight, until recently?"
This got their attention. "You always said that he was away on business." Maggie offered.
He nodded, "That's true enough". Then started to fiddle with his keys, seeming to avoid saying anything further.
"Well come on, tell us". Carolyn demanded impatiently. Both girls had been wondering and speculating on what Barnabas had been up to during his daylight disappearances. Maggie believed that he was having an affair with a woman who lived just outside of town. She figured that he spent the day with his lady love. Carolyn however, thought he had some illicit business dealing with a nefarious element that he didn't want the rest of the family to know about. Both girls were dying to find out the real truth.
"Naw, I think Barnabas would get too angry with me if I told you about who he really is." Then he started to walk away.
Carolyn pleaded with him. "We promise we won't tell a single soul, right Maggie?"
"Of course, his secret is safe with us". Maggie promised.
Willie looked all around to make sure that no one could hear what he was about to say, then leaned in closer and whispered, "The reason he needs silver bullets see....." He stopped and took another long look around before continuing. "Is that he's really.....Then a smile broke out on his face and he laughed, "The Lone Ranger. Yeah, that's right. And the reason the basement door is always locked is because he's got his trusty horse Silver stashed down there."
No longer able to contain his laughter he descended the stairs in triumph. Flinging open the front door he looked back at the two girls at the top of the stairs. Boy were they ever miffed at being duped by him, which of course made it all that much more enjoyable. Then twirling the keys on his finger high above his head he exclaimed, "Hi Ho Silver Away". Then quickly escaped out the door.
Kallie >^,,^<