Hello, ladies, how may I help you?
Hi, dear. We would like pedicures.
Certainly. I have two side-by-side tubs available. This way, please.
Thank you, dear.
Ooh, that feels nice, putting my feet in the hot water!
I love getting pedicures, even though I don't show off my toes, too much.
Really?
Yes. I only wear sandals when it gets really hot.
By the way, thank you for taking me here today, Mrs Bellows.
No problem, darling! Actually, I have an ulterior motive for taking you here.
An "ulterior motive," Mrs Bellows?
That's right. I want to get to know you better.
Oh, I see.
Major Nelson is one of my favorite co-workers of Alfred, so I thought I'd "check you out," so to speak.
I see.
You're very pretty, by the way!
Thank you! You are a pretty woman yourself, Mrs Bellows.
Thank you, dear! Oh, you can call me Amanda.
Yes, Mrs—er, Amanda.
That's better! Now, there's something I wanted to ask you.
What is it?
You're from Baghdad, is that correct?
Yes.
And yet, you're. . . that is, most girls from that area have black hair, yet you're a blond.
Ah, well, my family is fair-haired.
I see. And how old are you?
2000—er, 22.
Ah, I wish I was 22, again!
And how old are you, Amanda?
I'm 42. And where did you and Tony first meet?
We met . . . on a beach.
On a beach?
Yes. I was wading in the water, and he walked up to me. We started talking—and the rest is history!
Oh, that's so romantic! I was a WAC when Alfred and I first met.
That's nice.
By the way, what's your maiden name.
Jeannie.
No, dear, I mean your last name.
Just Jeanie; I have no last name.
That's a little odd! Oh, well.
Excuse me, ma'am. Would you like nail polish?
Yes, please. Red would be fine. How about you, Jeannie?
I would like blue nail polish, please.
BLUE? I don't see any blue nail polish, here.
Yes, there is. (BLINK) It is right over here.
Oh, yes! I didn't notice it, before. How exotic!
One of my former masters loved it.
One of your former MASTERS?
That is, one of my former boyfriends. Er. . . in Iraq, girls refer to their lovers as "masters."
I see. How quaint!
(A few minutes later.)
Well, Jeannie, I must say your toes look very cute with the blue polish!
Thank you, Amanda. Your toes also look nice.
Thank you, dear. Say, after we finish here let's have lunch—my treat. There's a nice little place near hear called Henry's Cafe that Alfred and I go to frequently.
Thank you, Amanda, that's very generous.
No problem, my dear. Let's sit in those chairs over there, while our toes dry.
All right.