Maybelle was feeling sassy.

Sure, it was a wet day, but the weather didn't dampen her spirits. She was strutting the streets of Baltimore like there was no tomorrow. Wearing a brand new dress, mustard yellow and gathered at the waist, Maybelle was attracting stares while on her way to buy frozen yoghurt.

She could imagine people's conversations now; 'What was she thinking, a coloured woman walking the street like that?' 'No, Ma, She's Motormouth Maybelle.' 'Ah, that's alright, then.'

A shiny red Chevrolet swung around a corner and into sight. Maybelle recognised Corny Collins behind the wheel, and also noticed, too late, the large, muddy puddle sitting in the gutter. She started to yell,

"Corny Collins, don't you dare-"

SPLASH.

She stood in shock for a couple of seconds, while the freezing water seeped its way closer to her skin. Gathering herself, Maybelle strode angrily to the car that had stopped a few yards ahead, showering water everywhere.

Flinging the door wide open, she caught sight of Corny's very, very pained grin. He flinched before she even drew in breath.

"Just what do you think you doin', boy? Can you imagine what they gon' be thinking now? Damn coloured woman, standing in the street, lookin' like a wet paper bag-"

"Belle, I-"

"Don't you Belle me, mister!" Maybelle got into Corny's car without invitation. Corny winced.

"My upholstery…" He whined, but instantly regretted it.

"You damn right I got my ass on your upholstery, cracker boy! Least you can do is let me sit in your damn car! What you expect me to do, walk home?!"

"No, you know I didn't mean that, but-"

"No, I don't wanna hear it. Damn, all the money you make flashin' yo' gnashers on that damn show, you sure as hell can afford a bit o' dry cleanin-"

"Maybelle…"

"And you payin' for my dress while you're at it, You know how long I had this dress fo'? Not even a day. You hear that? Brand new, that's right. And I-"

"Maybelle!!" Corny bellowed, astonishing her into silence. "Look, I'll drive you home, take your dress to the dry cleaner's, replace it, whatever. But could you please stop giving me all this… whoopass?"

There was a short silence. Maybelle raised an eyebrow.

"Whoopass?" She glared at Corny, her hair still dripping. "Man, you don't even know the meanin' of the word whoopass, you damn…"

Corny sighed.