OK, here's the next part. Some of MM's words, especially towards the end, but considering the fact this scene took place at the same time and place as hers and there are much of the same circumstances, I couldnt' say it better than her. And I promise as I get farther into this story it will be more my own, and less GWTW. I'm just getting started.

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Finally came the day she had been looking forward to all week. That Saturady was a bazaar in Atlanta, which was being held to raise money for the Cause. Scarlett was disapointed when she learned Friday afternoon that she would be expected to monitor a booth selling pillows their sewing circle had made. Melanie would be accompanying her, but Melanie cared for the Cause, and she didn't have the desire to dance. Scarlett, on the other hand, could care less about the good of the Cause. All the Cause was doing for her was taking away the beaux and parties and her carefree life. And now that she had finally been given the chance to dance again, she had to raise money selling pillows!

Although she was going to be stuck behind a booth all night and no one would be able to see more than the top of her dress, Scarlett decided she would wear her one good dress, the only one not tattered or blood stained from her work at the hospital. It was emerald green in color, a birthday gift from her father, who had it made especially to match her eyes. Scarlett had cherished it because she knew money was tight at Tara, and was grateful that Gerald had sacrificed money that could have gone to food or less expensive clothes for her birthday present. It was a plain dress, but that only helped accentuate her eyes. Her favorite part of the dress was a large bow in the back, and as she admired it in the mirror she sighed realizing it would go unnoticed as she sold the pillows.

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While at the bazaar, Melanie tried to talk with Scarlett, but Scarlett was much too preoccupied staring enviously at the young girls dancing. Melanie noticed Scarlett's eyes as she looked at the dancers, and saw that as the music played Scarlett was moving her feet, dancing in place. She smiled at Scarlett, but didn't say anything.

Halfway through the bazaar, there was a fundraiser where a man bid for a dance with the woman of his choice. Scarlett watched, her face green with envy, as men bid for their women. The prices went up a little bit every time, and Scarlett was wondering how Samantha Downs could be worth more than Catherine Withers when she caught her name. The speaker repeated himself again, and Scarlett listened closely. "One hundred and fifty dollars for Miss Scarlett O'Hara-in gold." The room went from the suprised silence to excited whispers. Scarlett, paralyzed with shock, had her hand to her mouth and made quick shuffles as Melanie pushed her into the crowd. In a moment, Scarlett had regained her composure, and she was able to answer. "I will accept!" she yelled to Dr. Meade, who was standing in the front. She didn't especially want to dance with Mr. Butler, but she would danc ewith Abe Lincoln himself just to dance.

Rhett, who's smile was wider than Scarlett had ever seen it, walked towards her, his hand outreached towards her. Scarlett accepted, putting her hand in his, as he bowed. As the music started, Rhett led Scarlett towards the dance floor. From the booth Melanie watched the couple everyone was eyeing happily, glad Scarlett got the dance she had wanted.

"How could you call my name out in front of everyone when you know you are the last person I want to dance with?"

"You coudl have refused, Miss O'Hara."

"I couldn't when you were offering so much money! I owe it to the cause." Rhett threw his head back in laughter. "Stop laughing! Everyone is looking," she scolded as the glared at him.

"They were already looking at us. It's not every day a respectable girl such as you dances with a scoundrel such as myself. And don't try to pull off that talk about the Cause. You care as much about the Cause as I do. I offered you this dance because I noticed your longing looks towards the dance floor, and you were bouncing up and down dancing behind the booth." Scarlett blushed at being found out and wondered how many other people had noticed.

As the dance ended, Scarlett pulled away from Rhett's grasp. "Thank you for the dance Captain Butler, but I really must get back to my booth."

"Dance with me again, please," he said as he pulled her back.

"Really, I couldn't. My feet hurt, and Melanie Wilkes is all alone selling the pillows."

"It's a waltz, it won't hurt your feet, and I'm sure Mrs. Wilkes can manage on her own."

"Really Captain Butler," she said softly, looking around to see if anyone had heard her call a man so much older than her that she hardly knew by his first name. "People will talk, and if mother ever heard from someone I was courting you-"

"Still stuck following your mammy's teachings?"

"Oh, you have a horrible way of making virtues sound stupid."

"But they are stupid, my dear. Does what people say really bother you that much?"

"Well, no." she said softly, hoping no one heard her.

"So why are you so worried," he asked as the music began, pulling her in close to him, forcing her to dance.

"Ladies are supposed to care, about what is said concerning them" she answered, immediately realizing how stupid that sounded. "But tonight, I don't care. I've been looking foward to dancing for months."

"Very good, Miss O'Hara. My dear, when you have been talked about as much as I have, you gain the knowledge that what people think of you matters very little. I'm not recieved in a single home in Charleston, and nothing will help me to regain my status as a man of society."

"How awful!"

"On the contrary, my dear. Until you have lost your reputation, you never realize what a burden it was, or what freedom really is."

"You do talk scandalous!"

"It isn't scandalous my dear, but the truth. As long as you have courage and money, you can do without a reputation."

"But money can't buy everything, Captain Butler"

"Your mammy must have told you that. I haven't come across anything yet."

"But money can't buy love or happiness."

"In ways, it can, and when it can't, there are wonderful substitutes that you can buy."

"And you have enough money for this?" Scarlett inquired.

"What an ill-bred question, Miss O'Hara. I'm sure your mother would be suprised," he said, and laughed as she blushed. "But yes, I have done very well for myself. There is much money to be made in the blockade business. I expect to clear a million."

Scarlett gasped at this unheard of sum of money. "Not really, Captain Butler?"

"Really, Miss O'Hara. The South is is breaking up right under our feet, and most people are such fools they don't realize it and take advantage of it. I'm making my fortune out of the wreckage.

"Do you really think we're going to lose?"

"Without a doubt."

"Oh, isn't this the lovelyest song? I missed dancing, but I didn't realize I had missed it so much. Please, Captain Butler, don't hold me so close. People will talk scandolous."

Rhett laughed. "I suppose old habits die hard."

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OK, that's it. Hope you liked it. And don't forget to respond and tell me what you think.

~Elyse