- I saw them again! – Mrs. Bellows announced to the OWA.
- Oh…
- No!...
- Really?
- Yes… Jeannie wasn't there.
- How do you know, Mrs. Bellows?
- I called their house. HE answered the phone and said she wasn't there.
- Oh, my God!
- Poor, poor, Jeannie!
- We will have to tell her! We can't let her be deceived by that man!
- Yeah! No matter how gorgeous and insatiable he is!
- We'll invite her for tea, sit her down and calmly tell her.
- It can be at my place so she won't suspect.
- Good idea, Sally.
- Oh, Jeannie… you have no idea of how sorry we all are… - Sally Wingate thought aloud as she passed by the Nelson house.
- Sally. Good afternoon. – Major Nelson has just gotten out of his car.
- Major Nelson! Hi! What are you doing home in the middle of the afternoon?
- Uh… I came home to pick up some reports.
- Sure, sure.
- Master! – they heard from afar. Jeannie was standing on the doorway. In her usual genie outfit. She didn't notice Sally talking to her husband.
- I have to go. See you, Sally.
- Yeah… bye.
Sally looked at the doorway incredulous. He was seeing the woman in the middle of the afternoon?! How dare he?!
- Hello, darling! – Major Nelson greeted his wife as he walked in.
- Hi! – she peppered his face with kisses. He chuckled. – I am so surprised to see you here!
- I know! Uh… Those reports I've been working on. Have you seen them?
- Uh… I think you left them in the studio. One minute.
She blinked out and then in, with his reports in her hands.
- Here you go, Master.
- Thanks, Jeannie. – he kissed her cheek – You have some nosy friends.
- What?
- I just saw Sally Wingate and she plainly asked me what I was doing home in the middle of the afternoon!
- Huh!
- The only person I have to answer to is you!
- Aww! – she kissed his cheek – Next time, tell her it is none of her business! In fact, I might!
- Darling, that's ok. I have to go. See you later!
- See you later!
They kissed and he left.
- Hello? Shirley? – Sally Wingate was on the phone at her house.
- Yes? What is it, Sally?
- You are not going to believe it.
- What is it, woman?
- I passed by the Nelson house earlier today…
- And?!
- She was there to greet him!
- Who? The woman?
- Yes!
- Oh, God, this is just…
- He has no shame whatsoever! Oh, and do you want to know what else?
- What?
- She calls him "master"!
- What? – Shirley Endicott has laughter in her voice.
- That's what I heard!
- So, not only does she dress as a harem dancer but she also calls him "master"?
- Uh-huh!
- He's a perverted man, isn't he?
- Jeannie's too sweet for him…
- That's it. We have to tell her!
- We will!
The women saw Jeannie coming and pretended to be already talking about the Saturday afternoon tea.
- So, is five o'clock ok?
- Hello! – Jeannie had just walked in.
- Five o'clock is great! That is, if Jeannie will be able to go!
- Go where?
- You are invited to tea at my house next Saturday, at five!
- Oh! Thanks! I will be there!
- Good!
- Anthony will be at the club anyway!
- Oh, yes… the club…
The women exchanged a look. They really felt sorry for their friend.
- Meanwhile… - Mrs. Bellows began – I will carry on with that project of mine…
- What project?
- That project, Shirley!
- Ohhh! Right.
- What project, Mrs. Bellows? – Jeannie asked.
- Oh! Uh… it's a surprise.
- For me? Everybody else already seems to know what it is about!
- Uh, yes! It's a… surprise… for you. – Mrs. Bellows gave her a nervous smile.
- Ohhh! Thank you! – Jeannie smiled back.
- Will you be quiet?
- But I can't see from here! Trade places with me!
Mrs. Bellows was back at her usual hiding place (behind the bushes of the garden of an abandoned house across the street) and this time, she had taken someone with her. Shirley Endicott was anxious but horrified at the same time.
- There. Can you see it now?
- Yes! There's their window!
- He should be home any minute now!
- Does he drive a blue Pontiac?
- Yes!
- Then there he is!
- Where?
Mrs. Bellows had brought a pair of binoculars, but they had the decency of being fairly small.
- Oh… I see him… Major Nelson, you cad!
He opened the door to his house and walked in, as usual. Jeannie popped in to greet him.
- Master darling! You are home! – she kissed him.
- Hello, sweetheart! – he kissed her back – How was your day?
- It was fine! The OWA asked me to tea Saturday!
- Oh?
- Yes! And… apparently, Mrs. Bellows has a surprise for me!
- Hm. I wonder what it is…
- Oh, Master, do not give me that look! Mrs. Bellows may be nosy, but she's a dear friend!
- I know. It's just that I am used to walking on thin ice with her husband. Can't blame me!
- And I will not!
They went to the living-room, and he sat on the sofa, letting out a deep breath.
- Aww. Are you tired?
- A little bit.
She had gone behind the couch and was starting to give him a massage.
- Ohh… thanks, Jeannie…
- No problem, darling.
Of course, their window was open. It was always open, since Cocoa Beach was a hot place.
And the women across the street were appalled! That blonde hussy was always there!
- Mrs. Bellows, her outfit!
- I told you!
- Outrageous!
- And where is Jeannie, anyway?
- Poor thing…
- Call them.
- What?
- Call their house! See if she's there!
- Hm. Ok. Where's the pay phone?
- Over there! – Mrs. Bellows pointed to it.
RIIING! RIIING!
- Could you answer it, darling? I'll be right back.
- Sure!
Major Nelson walked towards the phone and picked it up.
- Hello?
- Major Nelson?
- Yes?
- Shirley Endicott.
- Oh, hello!
- May I speak to Jeannie, please?
- Jeannie's not here right now. Can I take a message?
- Uh… ask her if she really will be able to come to our meeting on Saturday.
- Sure. I'll have her call you back.
- Thanks, Major.
- No problem. Bye bye.
- Bye. – She hung up – Oh, my God!
She walked back to her hiding place.
- Oh, my God! – she exclaimed again.
- Let me guess. Jeannie wasn't home?
- No!
- What did I tell you?
- Is she giving him a massage?
- And he's enjoying it!
- Jerk!
- Makes me want to go there and break it up!
- I know!