Disclaimer: I don't own any part or person from the Nanny…yet.
A/N Just another Niles/CC story. I watched the episode where CC is online with Brighton and thought, hmmmmm…
CHAT ROOM
Chapter 1
Niles sat down at the new laptop Mr. Sheffield purchased him for his birthday. "Let's see, this shouldn't be any different here than at the library." Niles moved his fingers along the keys in fine fashion. "Think I'll check out a few different chat rooms." Niles read over the screen and found the one he wanted. "Broadway Fans, well that sounds interesting."
At frist he just read what everyone was talking about. Then a new screen name twinkled onto the screen:
Broadwaysbadirl62 says: "Has anyone seen the new revival of Showboat?"
"Oooo." Niles typed in his screen name 'Mr. Cellophane', then his password '********' and then his reply.
Mr. Cellophane says: "I saw the opening night performance last week. I thought it was wonderful."
The conversation continued like this:
Broadwaysbadgirl62 says: "Yeah…I saw the opening night too. I thought it was pretty good, but the dancers needed to get it together a little better. Don't you think?"
Mr. Cellophane says: "I guess, to be honest, I didn't pay much attention to the dancing."
Broadwaysbadgirl62 says: "Too busy staring at the wife?"
"Well, she cuts right to the chase doesn't she?" Niles asked to no one.
Mr. Cellophane says: "Don't I wish. Not married. I just have a strong opinion about ballroom dancing and I am usually disappointed by what I see."
Broadwaysbadgirl62 says: "Poor baby, did you have to go to the theatre all alone?"
Niles could feel the smile spread across his face.
Mr. Cellophane says: "I didn't say I was alone, just that I wasn't married. I was with a friend."
Broadwaysbadgirl62 says: "What did she think of the show?"
Niles laughed at her assumptions and said to himself; "I wonder if I should really get her going? Nah…"
Mr. Cellophane says: "She agrees with you about the dancers. Thought that the leads were wonderful and thinks that the 'captain' should be recast."
Broadwaysbadgirl62 says: "She sounds like my kind of woman."
Mr. Cellophane says: "Oh…is that how you swing?"
Niles laughed to himself as he typed and hoped she wouldn't be offended.
Broadwaysbadgirl62 says: "NO! But I'll have to admit you did get me there…I'll have to be more careful about how I set you up. I was talking about the leads and recasting Cap'n Andy."
Mr. Cellophane says: "Yeah…he was a little flat. The actor who plays 'Pete' is his understudy; I think he'd do rather well. But no one ever asks me."
Broadwaysbadgirl64 says: "Do understudies ever really get to go on? I thought that just happened in the movies. LOL
Mr. Cellophane says: "Could be. So…what exactly do you do? Big time Broadway star?"
Broadwaysbadgirl62 says: "Nah…but let's just for now keep it informal, nothing personal. I've got enough people who think of me as 'what I am' rather than 'who I am'.
"Wow, I know all about that," Niles said to himself as he typed his response.
Mr. Cellophane says: "You're preaching to the choir on that one, Broadway. I don't think anyone could answer even five personal questions about me. I'm just 'what they see'. I hate it.
Broadwaysbadgirl62 says: "Maybe you could change what you do. I mean…if you hate it. I love what I do…I just don't like it being all anyone ever thinks of me."
"Don't I know it." Niles nodded.
Mr. Cellophane says: "I love what I do. I didn't, but now I do. I couldn't do anything else if I had to. But there's still a person in here…ya know?"
Broadwaysbadgirl62 says: "All too well, Cellophane, all too well. Speaking of which, this person had better get her beauty rest or she'll really be a bear in the morning. And trust me, that is not something anyone wants to deal with." LOL
Mr. Cellophane says: "I should get to bed as well. I have a very early start to my day. I can't imagine you could ever be less than pleasant, Broadway, but I've dealt with my share of bears in the mornings and you're right no one wants that." LOL "Perhaps we'll chat again tomorrow evening?"
"That's risky, Niles. What if she thinks you're a nut?" Niles waited.
Broadwaysbadgirl62 says: "I'll be here, Cellophane. Thanks for chatting. Until tomorrow – Broadway.
Mr. Cellophane says: "Until tomorrow – Cellophane.
Niles logged off the chat room. "Well, that was interesting. I wonder if that '62 business is the year she was born." Niles sighed. "That would make her…32, only 10 years younger than me…I suppose that's not too…" Niles got up and rolled his eyes. "Geez, Niles…you chatted online for ten minutes and you're worried about age differences."
The next morning Niles stood in the foyer arranging flowers on the small table when CC breezed in. "Hello, hello!"
"Well…look what the cat dragged in." Niles tossed at her.
CC smirked. "I'm in too good a mood this morning, Niles. Where's Max?"
"He's in the office going over resumes'…to recast the captain." Niles went back to his flowers.
CC made a face at him. "You see, I told you that the captain should be recast."
"I never doubted you for an instant." Niles responded stopping CC dead in her tracks.
She turned to face him. "Really?"
"Of course…if anyone knows sailors, it's you." Niles scoffed without looking up only to hear CC storm off toward the office.
Fran came in from the kitchen. "Hey, Niles. What's wrong with Miss Babcock?"
"That's far too long a list to get into now, Miss Fine." Niles answered and joined Fran in the laugh it brought.
Niles started whistling 'Only Make Believe' from "Showboat". "Niles, what's that song? It sounds familiar."
"It's from 'Showboat'." Fran looked lost. "Sheffield Production's newest revival…we saw it last week."
Fran starting nodding. "Oh, yeah…I remember. It's the love song they sing when they fall in love but can't admit it, right?"
"That's the one." Niles smiled and cleared away the trash from his floral arranging. "I'd better get some coffee started before…"
Niles didn't get to finish before the bellow erupted from the office. "Nnniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiillllles!"
"Oy, too late!" Fran patted his back as Niles started into the office.
Niles entered the office and stood before the desk. "You bellowed, Sir."
"Yes, Niles, could you bring us some coffee please. And it looks like CC and I will be taking lunch in here as well." Max instructed.
CC spoke up. "Niles…you saw the opening night of 'Showboat'. What did you think?"
"I thought it was quite good." Niles gave his usual 'best way to keep your job' answer.
CC rolled her eyes. "Niles, really, what did you think?"
"Well, Sir, may I speak freely?" Niles looked at Max.
Max nodded. "Or course, Niles."
"Well, the dancers need a little work. The Gaylord and Magnolia are wonderful and Cap'n Andy was bland. Better to replace him with his understudy and recast the role of Pete." Niles looked rather sheepishly between Max and CC. "But that's just my opinion. I'll go make the coffee." Niles retreated quickly.
CC looked at Max with a gloating look all her own. "See, I told you. Let's just save ourselves the grief and fire John, move Tim up as his understudy and recast the role of Pete. Anyone of the guys from the chorus could easily step into to part."
"I don't know CC." Max looked at her oddly.
CC frowned. "Don't know what?"
"I don't know if I'm more shocked at your suggestion or that fact that you and Niles agreed on something." Max grinned. "Ok, you take care of it."