Chapter 4

A white ceiling was the first thing Adrienne saw when she opened her eyes. With a jerk she sat up and looked around. She was lying on a white bed in a hotel room. Glancing down she noticed her still torn and battered dress, with a shock all that had happened the night before rushed back in her memory. It hadn't been a dream. Bother .I wish it had been. Adrienne swung her legs over the edge of the bed then stopped for a moment, thinking. How sound was I sleeping? I fell asleep out there and must have slept through being moved in here. Creepy. "Where are my shoes?" she asked to the air. They must be in the main room.

Cautiously, she opened the door and stepped out, barefooted. The room was dimly lit by sunlight filtering through the blinds. Someone was snoring and she smelled coffee. Adrienne began walking in the direction of the door, hoping to slip out before anyone woke, then stopped. She was sure she had heard something.

Suddenly she felt a tap on her shoulder and a voice say in a rather cheerful manner: "Good morning."

Adrienne whirled around a scream sticking in her throat, and accidentally stepping on her dress, causing her to stumble.

"Did you sleep well?" Ian asked, helping her up.

"Ah…. yes." Adrienne stammered, regaining her composure.

"I thought you would like a room of your own instead of walking up surrounded by, what did you call them? Idiots?" He said smiling. Just then the door opened with a slight creak, letting a blaze of light into the room. Shippen and Phil stepped in, the latter of the two holding a shopping bag.

"Did you get it?" Ian asked turning to face them.

"Yeah, we guessed sizes though, so don't blame us if it doesn't fit her." Shippen said pouring himself a cup of coffee.

"What is this?" Adrienne asked, taking the bag as it was handed to her.

"Clothes. You can't really go walking around in Philadelphia in that." Ian replied gesturing to her dress. Several minutes later Adrienne reopened the door of the bedroom.

"You people have horrid taste in clothing. I refuse to wear this." she said, still wearing her dress

"What's wrong with it?" Shippen asked over his coffee cup. Adrienne ticked things off on her fingers as she spoke.

"The only thing that fits are the shoes, nothing matches and there are no socks." Shippen glanced at Phil

"I told you to get socks."

"Did you see the way the clerk was staring at us? I wasn't about to." Phil protested grumpily. Ian sighed, then emerged from behind his laptop.

"Here, make a list of your sizes and clothes that match." he said shoving a notepad and pen at her. Adrienne smiled to herself as she began writing. I might as well get really expensive stuff. Since they're paying for it. Shippen took her list and left again with Phil, who was grumbling. Adrienne retrieved her shoes and a cup of coffee, and seated herself back in a chair. Shaw had awakened, causing the snoring to stop, much to Adrienne's relief. Ian vanished and reappeared in different clothing.

"How you drink that stuff is beyond me." Ian said glancing disapprovingly at Shaw and Adrienne's coffee. Shaw looked over the top of his paper.

"Ian, coffee does not make you short." he said.

"Yes it does" Ian insisted "Someday you are going to be as short as her." Adrienne sighed heavily.

" What was Phil so upset about?" Shaw asked with interest

"Clothing difficulties." Ian replied.

"What?"

"Don't ask."

"You know." Adrienne pointed out. "Phil wouldn't have these problems if you would just let me go."

" Sorry, not an option. You'll just have to enjoy our company for a while." Ian replied

"Somehow I don't think I'll be enjoying my stay." Adrienne answered sarcastically.