CHARMED
"My Brothers' Keeper"
by J. B. Tilton
email: aramath@isot.com
Rating: G
Disclaimer: "Charmed" and all related characters and events are the property of the WB television network, except for those characters specifically created for this story. This is a work of fan fiction and no infringement of copyright is intended.
* * *
(Authors note: This story takes place between season 4 episodes "The Three Faces Of Phoebe" and Marry-Go-Round".)
* * *
A warlock tricks the sisters into giving him samples of their blood so he can duplicate their powers.
* * *
ONE
Paige opened the front door to the manor and found a man on the front porch. He appeared to be about fifty years old, was wearing a three-piece suit and carrying what looked very much like a sample case.
"Good afternoon," said the man, with just a slight English accent, "are you the woman of the house?"
"Yeah, I supposed I am right now," said Paige.
"Very good," said the man. "My name is Malcolm Smith and I represent the Reliant Cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals Company. I was wondering if I might have just a moment of your time."
"Look," said Paige, "whatever you're selling . . ."
"Actually," said Smith, "I'm not selling a thing. I work in research. And I'm only interested in your opinion on some new products we've been working on. In appreciation for your honest opinion on a few items, you'll receive a complimentary collection of some of our most popular products."
"No buying?" asked Paige.
"None whatsoever," said Smith. "I'd simply like to show you some new products and get your opinion on them. That's all."
"Okay," said Paige. "Come in."
"What a lovely old house," said Smith. "I do love the older ones. They have a character you just don't find in those newer, pre-fabricated houses. Do you live here alone?"
"No," said Paige, "I live here with my two sisters and my brother-in-law."
"A family home," said Smith. "That's nice to hear. A grand house like this should have a family."
"We can go into the living room," said Paige.
They sat on the sofa and Smith opened his case. It was filled with lipsticks, compacts, eyeliners, and all the types of makeup items women used. Smith showed Paige a variety of products, even allowing her to sample some.
They really didn't appear to be anything new to Paige. She had seen similar items at cosmetic counters all over the city. But she patiently let Smith show her each item, giving her opinion when he asked.
"Now this," said Smith, pulling out a compact, "is one of our newest products. You know how you have to throw away a compact when it's used up? No more. A simple twist and you can refill it at a fraction of the cost of buying a new one. Go ahead. Give it a try."
Paige pressed the button and the compact popped open. It looked like any other compact, but she could tell that the bottom portion screwed in. She could tell how it screwed in. She grabbed the bottom portion of the compact and gave it a twist. But instead of unscrewing, her finger slid around the edge of the compact.
"Ow," cried Paige. "It cut me."
'I'm so terribly sorry," said Smith, pulling a handkerchief out of his pocket. He placed the handkerchief on the cut on her finger and held it there. "This has never happened before. I suppose my demonstration model must be wearing out. Please, accept my sincerest apologies."
"It's just a cut," said Paige. "But you guys might want to do something about that before you start selling them."
"Oh yes, absolutely," said Smith, pulling the handkerchief from her finger.
Paige's finger had already stopped bleeding but the handkerchief was covered in blood. Smith simply stuffed the handkerchief into his pocket.
"Not serious, I should think," he said. "Again, I am dreadfully sorry."
"Oh, it's okay," said Paige. "I've had worse. No real harm done."
"As promised," said Smith, pulling an envelope out of his pocket, "here is a gift certificate good at virtually any cosmetics distributor. It's good for up to two hundred dollars worth of any of our cosmetic products."
"Thanks," said Paige. "That was the easiest two hundred bucks I ever made."
"You have provided invaluable assistance," said Smith. "It's because of individuals like you that we can provide better cosmetics in the future. Now, I must be going. Thank you for your time and, again, I'm dreadfully sorry about the cut."
"Forget it," said Paige. "It will heal. I hope I was helpful."
"My dear," said Smith, "you have no idea how helpful you've been."
Smith packed up his display case and left the manor. He walked down the street past two houses, and then stopped. He turned and looked back at the manor. He reached into his pocket and removed the bloody handkerchief from his pocket.
Carefully he placed the handkerchief into a plastic back and sealed it. He smiled to himself and looked around. Satisfied he was unobserved, he simply vanished from the street.
"My Brothers' Keeper"
by J. B. Tilton
email: aramath@isot.com
Rating: G
Disclaimer: "Charmed" and all related characters and events are the property of the WB television network, except for those characters specifically created for this story. This is a work of fan fiction and no infringement of copyright is intended.
* * *
(Authors note: This story takes place between season 4 episodes "The Three Faces Of Phoebe" and Marry-Go-Round".)
* * *
A warlock tricks the sisters into giving him samples of their blood so he can duplicate their powers.
* * *
ONE
Paige opened the front door to the manor and found a man on the front porch. He appeared to be about fifty years old, was wearing a three-piece suit and carrying what looked very much like a sample case.
"Good afternoon," said the man, with just a slight English accent, "are you the woman of the house?"
"Yeah, I supposed I am right now," said Paige.
"Very good," said the man. "My name is Malcolm Smith and I represent the Reliant Cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals Company. I was wondering if I might have just a moment of your time."
"Look," said Paige, "whatever you're selling . . ."
"Actually," said Smith, "I'm not selling a thing. I work in research. And I'm only interested in your opinion on some new products we've been working on. In appreciation for your honest opinion on a few items, you'll receive a complimentary collection of some of our most popular products."
"No buying?" asked Paige.
"None whatsoever," said Smith. "I'd simply like to show you some new products and get your opinion on them. That's all."
"Okay," said Paige. "Come in."
"What a lovely old house," said Smith. "I do love the older ones. They have a character you just don't find in those newer, pre-fabricated houses. Do you live here alone?"
"No," said Paige, "I live here with my two sisters and my brother-in-law."
"A family home," said Smith. "That's nice to hear. A grand house like this should have a family."
"We can go into the living room," said Paige.
They sat on the sofa and Smith opened his case. It was filled with lipsticks, compacts, eyeliners, and all the types of makeup items women used. Smith showed Paige a variety of products, even allowing her to sample some.
They really didn't appear to be anything new to Paige. She had seen similar items at cosmetic counters all over the city. But she patiently let Smith show her each item, giving her opinion when he asked.
"Now this," said Smith, pulling out a compact, "is one of our newest products. You know how you have to throw away a compact when it's used up? No more. A simple twist and you can refill it at a fraction of the cost of buying a new one. Go ahead. Give it a try."
Paige pressed the button and the compact popped open. It looked like any other compact, but she could tell that the bottom portion screwed in. She could tell how it screwed in. She grabbed the bottom portion of the compact and gave it a twist. But instead of unscrewing, her finger slid around the edge of the compact.
"Ow," cried Paige. "It cut me."
'I'm so terribly sorry," said Smith, pulling a handkerchief out of his pocket. He placed the handkerchief on the cut on her finger and held it there. "This has never happened before. I suppose my demonstration model must be wearing out. Please, accept my sincerest apologies."
"It's just a cut," said Paige. "But you guys might want to do something about that before you start selling them."
"Oh yes, absolutely," said Smith, pulling the handkerchief from her finger.
Paige's finger had already stopped bleeding but the handkerchief was covered in blood. Smith simply stuffed the handkerchief into his pocket.
"Not serious, I should think," he said. "Again, I am dreadfully sorry."
"Oh, it's okay," said Paige. "I've had worse. No real harm done."
"As promised," said Smith, pulling an envelope out of his pocket, "here is a gift certificate good at virtually any cosmetics distributor. It's good for up to two hundred dollars worth of any of our cosmetic products."
"Thanks," said Paige. "That was the easiest two hundred bucks I ever made."
"You have provided invaluable assistance," said Smith. "It's because of individuals like you that we can provide better cosmetics in the future. Now, I must be going. Thank you for your time and, again, I'm dreadfully sorry about the cut."
"Forget it," said Paige. "It will heal. I hope I was helpful."
"My dear," said Smith, "you have no idea how helpful you've been."
Smith packed up his display case and left the manor. He walked down the street past two houses, and then stopped. He turned and looked back at the manor. He reached into his pocket and removed the bloody handkerchief from his pocket.
Carefully he placed the handkerchief into a plastic back and sealed it. He smiled to himself and looked around. Satisfied he was unobserved, he simply vanished from the street.