You Can Do The Rest
chapter 1
"NIIILLLEEES!" the ever-so-dulcet tone of Maxwell Sheffield's voice rang through the house.
"Let's get an intercom Niles, I won't have to scream anymore Niles..." Niles mumbled under his breath, imitating Mr Sheffield's rather posh voice, as he removed his apron and replaced it with his jacket, "Now if he'd only learn how to bloody use it!"
Niles exited the Kitchen and walked swiftly towards the office where he found Mr Sheffield sitting comfortably at his desk, and the tall vivacious C.C. Babcock on the green loveseat behind the door, with her long legs tucked behind her rear, a stack of papers resting on her lap and a blue pen hanging delicately from her lips as she turned a page. Niles couldn't help wondering just what it would be like to be that very pen...
"You bellowed, sir?" Niles asked in the politest voice he could muster.
"Yes old man," Maxwell Sheffield lifted the glasses off the bridge of his nose and looked up from the papers on his desk at his lifelong friend, "I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask yet another favour of you dear boy."
"Oh, and "old man" and a "dear boy" all in one sentence, this can't be good, sir" Niles gave his employer an inquisitive look.
"He apologised too," a sultry voice rang from behind Niles, sending a shiver down his spine, "This must really be GOOD." C.C. Babcock leaned forward on her seat, momentarily forgetting the papers on her lap that she'd practically been staring at all day.
"Yes well..." Maxwell cleared his throat, "It appears that we have a potential investor. A real big shot, more money than most millionaires combined, his name's Andrew McClanahan. He apparently has a lovely penthouse on central park west. I was hoping to get your help in reeling him in."
"Maxwell!" C.C. whined, "I told you that I could handle him. What could possibly make you think that Niles, of all people, stands a better chance at getting some money out of this old man?"
"She's right sir. If anyone knows anything about getting money from old men, it's C.C. Babcock." Niles shot her a playful grin and was met with the usual icy glare.
"C.C., what does Mr. McClanahan do for a living?" Maxwell asked his partner with a grin.
"He's an author, Maxwell." C.C. answered, a little thrown off by the smile on his face, "He writes all those trashy novels..."
"Ooohhh..." Niles laughed, "Then she's perfect for the job, sir. probably read every single book he's written. Now if you'll excuse me sir..."
"Not so fast, Niles," Maxwell had by now left his seat and was perched on the front of his desk, looking between his business partner and his butler, both a little confused, "Obviously Mr McClanahan is in the business of love, and what better way to get his attention than to send a couple in love..."
"Now wait just a minute, Maxwell," C.C. stood from her seat, all the papers from her lap spilling to the floor, "Are you suggesting that the only way I could possibly get some business from the old man is to pretend to be in love with Dust mop here?"
"Now, sir I have to agree with Miss Babcock, I don't think..."
"Save it both of you," Maxwell raised a hand, "C.C., I'm sure you're more than capable of reeling in Mr. McClanahan by yourself..."
...Niles snickered quietly as various insults ran through his head...
"... but I simply think this is an easier, more foolproof solution. And before either start complaining again, it's too late, It's all arranged, you're having dinner with Mr. McClanahan and his wife tomorrow night." Maxwell got up and made his way back to his chair before once again perching his glasses upon his nose.
"But Maxwell..." C.C. started
"C.C., do pick up those papers before they're ruined" Maxwell suddenly found the page on his desk very important as he began to hurriedly write.
"Sir..." Niles began
"That will be all, Niles." Maxwell dismissed him, but then stopped him as he reached the office door, "And Niles, thank you old man." Maxwell gave him a sincere smile, knowing full well that it would at least dissolve some of the anger his friend now felt towards him.
But after Niles left and while C.C. was busy picking up the papers on the floor, that sincere smile turned into the smile of an evil mastermind that had just put the very first steps of his plan in motion...