Camera bulbs flashed and a crowd of onlookers milled about hoping to catch a glimpse of the rich and famous when Peggy's car finally pulled up outside the nine-story building situated at 5 East 59th Street the following night. She was somewhat surprised to realize how nondescript the building was. Truth be told, she'd expected something a bit more glamorous.
When the driver came around to open the door, she stepped out and did her best to keep head down, deftly avoiding the camera flashes popping around her. Best not to have her picture splashed across the social section if she could help it. Fortunately, James Stewart showed up right behind her and the reporters quickly swarmed around peppering him with questions about his latest film, It's a Wonderful Life.
Peggy made her way to the entrance and breezed inside where she was met by a young woman clad in what was evidently the standard Bunny costume. Although she had seen pictures in the society pages of The New York Times, she wasn't quite prepared for seeing the outfit in person.
The black fabric was cut shockingly high above the hips with a daring cleavage line, accentuated by white cuffs with black cuff links, a starched white collar, black bow tie, dark heels and an outrageous pair of carefully pointed bunny ears perfectly situated atop the woman's flaxen curls. The large cotton fluff affixed to her posterior completed the absurd ensemble.
Peggy briefly wondered how she managed to avoid a chill with all the cold air rushing in whenever the door opened, but her thoughts were cut short when the woman glanced up and gave her a bright smile. "Good evening! May I have your membership key, please?"
"Of course," Peggy smiled in return, retrieving the small, bunny-shaped metal key Thompson had given to her the day before.
The Door Bunny took it and turned it over, consulting her book. "Will your husband be joining you this evening?" she asked.
Peggy blinked in surprise - couples actually came here together? - but quickly recovered. "Yes, actually, he will be. Should I leave the key here for him?" She gave the woman an awkward smile. "Truth be told, this is my first time here, so I'm not quite familiar with how it all works."
The Door Bunny smiled knowingly. "It can be a little overwhelming the first few times."
"I am a little out of my element," Peggy admitted, the sincerity in that statement surprisingly genuine.
"You just wait. By March, this will all be old hat." She gave her a blinding smile. "Tell you what, I'll just make a note next to his name and when he arrives, he can find you," she informed her, returning the key to Peggy.
"That'd be lovely. Thank you."
"It's my pleasure, Mrs. Thompson," she assured her and motioned to the heavy mahogany doors behind her. "Have a wonderful evening!"
Peggy bit back a grimace – honestly, Mrs. Thompson – and gave her an insincere smile. "I'm sure I will," she promised as she made her way through the double doors which were opened for her.
Once inside, she shrugged out of her warm coat and handed it to another bunny – this one in purple and dear Lord, were they everywhere? – before making her way to the crowded floor. Scanning the room as she walked, she saw no sign of the Leviathan scientist, but the night was young and, if their intel was correct, he'd make an appearance within the next hour. Peggy sighed. An hour. Somehow, the wait felt interminable. She glanced down at the dress she'd purchased for tonight in the hopes of drawing in her mark.
The deep burgundy number fell just off her shoulders and tapered down to caress her curves like a well-worn glove. It stopped just below her knees, showcasing her lean calves, and although it wasn't quite as daring as the ivory-and-gold number she'd worn a few months ago when they'd first learned of Leviathan, it was still cut low enough to give any man a tantalizing view of her quite-considerable assets. Best to probably mingle, she thought, lest she draw any unwanted attention to herself.
"Hi, honey! What can I get you?"
Unwanted attention, indeed, she snorted, and turned around to find –
Quite possibly the most adorable young woman she'd ever seen grinning at her, balancing a drink tray on her upturned palm, her other hand flirtatiously waggling five fingers.
Peggy's mouth fell slightly open as she took in the smaller woman in a turquoise bunny outfit, curls bouncing fetchingly around her face, blue eyes twinkling. The ridiculous outfit looked far less so on her, and Peggy couldn't help noticing how the high cut highlighted what were obviously the legs of a trained dancer. She felt her cheeks grow warm as she realized she was gawking.
The younger woman undeniably noticed the not-so-subtle onceover and shot Peggy a sly grin. "So what'll it be, sugar?"
Peggy cleared her throat. "Ah, a gin and tonic, please." Thank God her voice sounded somewhat collected.
The bunny glanced at her tray and frowned. "I'm fresh out of those, but I'll tell you what. You head over to the bar," she cocked her head toward the lavish counter a few yards away, "and make yourself comfortable. I gotta drop off these drinks to some gentlemen over there, but then I'll be right back to take care of you."
"That's really not necessary, Miss –"
"It's Angie, and I say it is. We have rules here, and if the boss thinks I'm slacking, I could get sacked. You don't wanna be responsible for me losing my job, do ya', English?" Her lips jutted out in a small pout, one that Peggy was sure worked like a charm every time she did it, because it was certainly working on her – Bloody Nora why was it working on her?
Letting out a resigned sigh, she shook her head. "The bar over there, yes?"
Angie let out a gleeful squeal. "That's the one! I'll only be gone two shakes of a bunny's tail," she promised and wiggled her rear end twice before bouncing away and tossing a "See you in a jiffy, doll!" over her shoulder.
Peggy watched Angie depart, then blinked a few times when she realized she was still staring at her retreating form. Willing herself to tear her eyes away from the turquoise-clad bunny, she reached up, pinched the bridge of her nose and groaned.
"I'm going to murder Jack Thompson."