Call on Tori/I Put My Hand In
I have always been a woman who arranges things...
If Tori had foreseen all the snags in her plan, perhaps she never would have gone through with it. It was a long shot from the start, she knew that, and it required that she double-cross quite a few people. In the end though, she decided, it would be for the greater good of everybody.
It all started when André Harris, world-famous movie producer, asked her to find him a new wife. This wasn't surprising—everybody knew that Tori Vega (born Levi) was the best matchmaker in Los Angeles—but Tori knew this particular arrangement was special. Whoever the second Mrs. Harris was, she'd likely have a good deal of power in Mr. Harris's decisions, or, in other words, influence in the world of movie making, Tori reflected. A former actress herself, Tori understood the importance of giving new writers, directors, and actors a chance. She wanted to find a woman who would make sure Mr. Harris would do this.
And then there was also his money. The second Mrs. Harris should also know how to handle a good deal of wealth responsibly; she should send it circulating among the people, rather than keeping it to herself.
All Mr. Harris really wanted, of course, was a woman to manage his household; he was a greedy man with little patience for social customs such as friendship and love.
Tori thought long and hard about where to find a woman that would meet all of her requirements. She then asked herself, where could she find a woman who would do exactly as she planned?
That's when it hit her. She would marry André Harris herself and use his wealth and power for the good of the people! That fact that he only wanted a home manager just made her job easier. All she had to do was set him up with a couple of women he was sure to reject, then show him her own management skills. Then he'd propose to her and voila, she could do even more good for the world.
It didn't take long, however, for her to hit the first flaw in her plan.
"Mrs. Vega!"
Tori turned around to see a tall, gangly young man with curly, light brown hair approaching.
"Mr. Van Cleef," Tori acknowledged him with a nod. Another client of hers, Sinjin Van Cleef. He had been the first to throw a monkey wrench into her plan by insisting she arrange his marriage with André Harris's niece, Trina. Being Tori, though, she managed to use this case to her advantage.
"Sorry I'm late, Mrs. Vega," he panted, attempting to catch his breath. "I came as fast as I could!"
"Don't worry about it, Mr. Van Cleef. We have plenty of time. Our flight doesn't leave for another hour."
"Really though, Mrs. Vega! I'm starting to have second thoughts about hiring you," Sinjin admitted crossly. "What kind of woman calls up a man at five in the morning and tells him to book a flight to New York that leaves in no less than two hours? I must have forgotten a thousand things packing… and you still haven't told my why we're going to New York. I have a lot riding on just my faith in you! I don't have the sort of money to toss around for out-of-the-blue trips across the country."
"I know you don't, Mr. Van Cleef," Tori said with a nod. "And that's why Mr. Harris won't let you marry his niece."
Sinjin snorted. "He thinks she has to marry some big shot actor or director. Apparently someone who works on lighting and sets like me just isn't good enough!"
"Now, now, Mr. Van Cleef," Tori soothed. "By the time I'm finished, Mr. Harris will be more than willing to let you marry Trina, though he may be a little too preoccupied with his own wedding preparations to focus on yours. I happen to be engaged in finding him a suitable second wife right now, which is why I'm on my way to New York."
"I know all about it, Mrs. Vega!" Sinjin said impatiently. "Rumor has it he's going to propose to Jade West this very afternoon!"
"And that's why he's on his way to New York as well!" Tori explained. "That is where Mrs. West lives. And he's taking Trina with him, in hopes that she'll forget about you. That is why you and I have to show up there! Now, what you have to do is show Mr. Harris that you're financially independent—and that you have some performance talent. And I just so happen to know how you can knock out two birds with one stone. There's a restaurant in New York; it's called Nozu. Sushi and karaoke. They happen to be having a karaoke contest tonight. Grand prize is a gold cup and one grand, which should be sufficient to get you started, and you know Mr. Harris loves music…"
"I don't sing, Mrs. Vega," Sinjin reminded her.
"Then I'll teach you," Tori decided, handing him one of her cards.
"Tori Vega," Sinjin read. "techies taught to sing?"
"I don't deal in only matchmaking, Mr. Van Cleef!"
"That's all well and good," Sinjin sighed. "but surely a prize such as that requires one to enter ahead of time?"
"Oh, don't worry about that!" Tori told him. "I happen to be good friends with the head waiter, Erwin Sikowitz. Back when my late husband Ephraim Vega was alive, the two of us would go to Nozu every week. We actually won quite a few Karaoke Cups. I'll just give him a call. I'm sure I can get the two of you entered."
"Oh… very well," Sinjin said, finally realizing there was no getting out of it.
"Excellent, then that's settled," Tori said. "Now head through security, Mr. Van Cleef. You wouldn't want to miss your flight."
"Aren't you coming?" Sinjin asked.
"I most certainly am," Tori told him. "But as it happens, I have a few matters to discuss with Mr. André Harris first. And look, there he is now!" Tori said as she spotted a man come through the door. Two younger men trailed in behind him, dragging what she supposed was his luggage. "I'll catch up with you later, Mr. Van Cleef."
"Beck! Robbie! Hurry up!" André called to the young men stumbling behind him. "We haven't got all day. I've got a plane to catch!
"Remind me again why you're heading to New York this time?" Beck asked. André took so many business trips that it was hard for Beck to keep track of each one's purpose.
"And why do you need so much luggage?" Robbie asked, setting down the bags he was carrying.
"Well, first off, I'm going to march in the Fourteenth street parade. More importantly though, I'm going out to ask a certain woman to marry me. And, in honor of the occasion, I'm promoting you, Beck, to my first assistant."
Beck exchanged a confused look with Robbie. "Aren't I already your first assistant?"
"Right now you're a fool. Any more questions?" André snapped.
"No, sir!" said Beck and Robbie in unison.
"Congratulations, Mr. Harris!" Tori called, beginning to approach the trio.
"Mrs. Vega," Andre greeted curtly. "Go get me coffee," he ordered his assistants.
"Congratulations, Mr. Harris," Tori repeated, reaching forward to shake his hand. "Congratulations on your engagement to Mrs. West! All my congratulations and sympathy…"
"Well, we aren't engaged just yet. Wait, sympathy?"
"Did I say that out loud?" Tori asked. "Well, never mind that, I'm so happy for you! And for myself… I was having quite a hard time trying to find a suitor for her!"
"And why is that?" André asked suspiciously.
"Well, she has quite the personality," Tori said. "I'm sure you've noticed. She's very sarcastic and doesn't like many people."
"I have noticed that," André said grimly. Tori was actually rather surprised that this hadn't been an issue earlier; she was hoping Jade's personality would drive André away. Perhaps both were just too eager to get married, and were willing to put up with anyone.
"And then there are the rumors," Tori went on.
"Rumors? What rumors?" André asked, now intrigued.
"Oh, I really shouldn't say…" Tori sighed, knowing this would make André even more interested. "All the facts show that her first husband died naturally."
"Are you meaning to tell me that Mrs. West…?"
"Well, the two weren't known to get along," Tori told him. "But I'm not trying to suggest anything! It's just that his death was so sudden… and he died right after a special dinner she made for him. But, as I said, Mr. West passed naturally."
André scowled. "Look, Mrs. Vega, you introduced me to Mrs. West, and I'm inclined to believe you would have told me earlier if she was a murderer. I'm going through with this wedding!"
"Oh, alright," Tori said. She still wasn't concerned, because she was never caught without a plan C. "Then I'll just tell the other girl… the heiress… not to wait."
"Good. You do tha—hold on, did you say heiress?"
I should have skipped straight to plan C before! Tori thought. I should have known he'd always go for money.
"Yes, I believe that's what I said. But, you already have Mrs. West. I'm not too worried about her, though. She's a lovely girl. She'll find someone else."
"Now, hold on," André interrupted. "Perhaps I haven't given her a fair chance… what's her name?"
"Money," Tori answered. "Ernestina Money."
"Lovely name," André commented.
"Indeed," Tori agreed. "However, there's an issue. Miss Money will be in the Fourteenth Street Parade this afternoon. I'm afraid she just won't have the time to meet you today…"
"Now hold on, Mrs. Vega. I happen to be marching in that same parade myself."
"What a coincidence!" Tori gushed. "Well, you can meet her then."
"Alright," André agreed. "But I still intend on meeting up with Mrs. West today."
"Then we'd better go catch that plane!" Tori exclaimed. "It'll be leaving shortly."
A/N: So it's been about a year since I've written anything… this one is based on one of my favorite musicals, Hello, Dolly! I've tried to modernize it, since the actual thing takes place in the late 1800s, but you probably noticed I kept some old timey themes in. That's why they're calling each other Mr. and Mrs. all the time. Also, I'm trying to keep everyone as in-character as possible, but I had to alter a few personalities (especially André's). Anyway, I hope you enjoy! Please review and tell me what you think!