Subj: Talented Mr. Ripley 2 -- 3 and 4
Date: 1/3/01 9:45:21 PM Central Standard Time
From: Melissa

Collinwood

"Quentin are you going to sit there all day?" Izzy asked walking in to the drawing room. Quentin didn't say anything, he was just sitting by the window with a brandy in his hand. "Quentin did you hear me?"

"What, did you say something dear?"

"I said let's go somewhere. I want to do something."

"Well there's not much to do here in Collinsport."

"I don't care what we do just as long as we get out of the house for awhile."

"Alright, let me go change," Quentin said kissing her on the forehead.

"This is nice," Izzy said as they sat down in one of the booths at the Blue Whale. "It reminds me of one of those places that we used to go to when we were in England."

"Yeah I guess so," Quentin muttered.

"Please try to cheer up," Izzy said, "I haven't seen anything that is as bad as you make Collinsport out to be. Where are all the ghosts?"

"Well they don't come out in daylight do they?"

"I don't know I never met one," Izzy replied looking around the room, "Isn't that the guy we met in the train station?"

Quentin turned and looked where his wife was looking. "Yeah, what was his name?"

"Tom something, I think?"

"Hey Tom," Quentin called out, the young man turned and smiled with recognition, and waved. "I guess it is," Quentin said as the young man came over.

"Wow, I didn't think I would see you two again," Tom said.

"Why don't you join us," Izzy said, "What are you doing in Collinsport, I thought you were going to New York?"

"I just got here, my landlord sold my apartment and sold all my stuff," Tom said.

"Oh no, where are you staying?"

"I got a room at the Inn over there."

"Why don't you come to Collinwood and stay with us," Quentin suggested.

"I don't want to be in the way," Tom began.

"You wouldn't be in the way, we'd love to have you. It's only two servants, Quentin and myself," Izzy said.

"Well if you're sure."

"Yes," Quentin and Izzy said at the same time.

To be continued. . .

Chapter Four
The Reading

Tom sat in one of the chairs in the living room of Collinwood. He had been there for a week now. Life was perfect. No matter how beautiful Italy had been, he was enjoying himself more here. Perhaps it was that he didn't have to pretend that he knew Quentin.

Izzy and Quentin were playing cards. "Why don't I tell your fortune," she suggested after he beat her again.

"I already know my future," Quentin said. "Tell Tom's, would you let my lovely wife tell your fortune?"

"Sure," he said and went to the card table.

"Cut the deck three times," Izzy said, placing a deck of Tarot card in front of him. When he was done she took the cards and placed three in a row, then under that line she placed another row, and another under that one. "The first line represents your past, the second the present, and the third your future."

She turned over the first card. The fool card was upside down. "You didn't think before you went into something new. You were in bad company." She flipped over the second card. The three of wands. "You began a new venture. You were paid well for your work, you traveled a great distance, to a place you never dreamt you'd be." She turned the last card over. The tower, it was also upside down. "You had an unpleasant experience. There was a problem in the household, that couldn't be repaired, you tried to fixed it, but it backfired." She looked up at Tom, "Your past wasn't happy, was it?"

"No," he said. He wondered if they knew about what had happened in Italy, and weren't saying anything.

"Was it right?" Quentin asked.

"Yes, it's amazing," he said.

"Now for the present," Izzy said and turned over the first card in the second row. The star, it was right side up. "A new beginning has begun for you, hope is growing. You have many good things to look forward to." She turned over the second card, the knight of cups, it was upside down. There is a man who is weak and lazy, he will leave as soon as you make demands on him. Is that you Quentin," Izzy asked looking up at her husband?

He made a face, and threw himself onto the sofa.

Izzy turned over the last card, the six of cups, it was also upside down, "Your past will be brought back, you will think that you can not escape it, but you will come out on top." She looked at Tom, "It's not a bad thing, just don't count on Quentin," she smiled.

She went to the last row, "Now for your future," she said. She turned over the first card. It was the seven of cups, it was upside down. "You have always had something of muddled endings, but the future is becoming clearer. You know what life has in store for you." She turned over the second card, the lovers. "Current and future love affairs will go now where, that doesn't mean you'll be alone, you must take care of the choices you make." The last card was the justice card. "Justice will prevail, and all wrongs that were done will be put to an end."

"Are you usually right?" Tom asked.

"Yes, I haven't been wrong yet," Izzy said.

Quentin sat up, and said "You don't really believe all that stuff, do you?"

"Not usually," Tom said.

"You know what we need," Quentin said going to the bar, and pouring three drinks, "We need to have a party, I don't know why, but I feel in the party mood. What do you think?" he asked Izzy and kissing her.

"I'd love it, I haven't seen anyone I know in ages."

"Then it's all set tomorrow we'll call everyone."

To be continued. . .