Catherine and the Telemarketer

"Those go to the big tent over there. Careful with that! That goes to the Props section." Catherine stood in the middle of chaos, directing the flow of people around her like a policeman. Whenever the circus moved to a new location, there was always a frenzied rush to set things up in time for the first performance, and at the moment, it seemed even more panicked than ever before.

Over the increasing din, Catherine heard a steadily growing noise, shrill and insistent.

"My phone! Does anyone know where my phone is?!" A tumbler launched himself past her, and chucked the small device at her in mid-spin, giving it about the speed of a mini-projectile. "Thanks!" She snatched it and hit the TALK button,

"This is Catherine."

"Hello, ma'am! We were wondering if you were interested in our latest product!" The voice changed slightly, sounding more like a commercial than anything. "For years and years people all over the world have lamented their inability to produce a decent meal. Our top scientists have come up with a solution that boggles the mind! Now, for an exclusive offer – an easy payment of $39.99, you can own the modern marvel of literature, Cooking Anything out of Anything, Anytime, Anywhere! scientifically proven to increase your culinary abilities by at least fifty percent!"

Catherine stared at her phone. " 'Scientifically proven'? I hate scientists! They took Trowa away, after all. And don't you think that price is a little extreme? I'll give you $20."

"Ma'am, I'm afraid we can't haggle the price…" said the young man on the other end, sounding slightly surprised.

"Oh don't be silly. You want to sell your product, don't you? Be reasonable. $25."

"I can't sell it for less than it's worth!"

"Young man, it's a book. Not an antique. Maybe if it was from, say, the Edo period, I'd consider $40."

"$39.99."

"One cent doesn't really matter all that much. $30. And I won't go any higher."

"Ma'am! I can't do that!"

"If you can't, then get me someone who can! Come on, I'm a busy person!" Catherine grinned. This was proving to be fun.

Trowa came up behind her, and when she turned, he mouthed Who is it?

Telemarketer.

He nodded, and quite possibly, grinned at her.

In the mean time, the telemarketer was having a hurried, whispered conversation with someone on his end. Catherine pressed the phone to her ear, and caught snatches of

"…said that she'd buy it for $30!…"

"…prices…can't change…anyone…"

"…-f…BUYS it…"

"You'll have to tell…that we…-n't."

As the conversation ended, she pulled the phone away so she wouldn't be deafened when the man spoke.

"Um…ma'am…my superior says that we cannot negotiate the price. I'm sorry."

She laughed silently. "That's ok. I never intended to buy it anyway." She hung up. "My cooking is perfect already."

Out of her sight, Trowa made an incredulous face of disbelief.

A/N:  O_O As of this posting, 147 reviews! WHOO!!! *throws confetti* I love you all so much! ^___^ A note - Have any of you noticed that both Quatre and Zechs have blonde hair and blue eyes? So cute… In my previous chapter, I was actually implying that it was a Zechs sticker on Noin's phone. Sorry if this caused some confusion…it's not MY fault if there are two adorable look-alikes on the show! ^_^ Credit for this chapter getting up at an early time goes to Berserker, who came up with the cookbook idea. *glomp* Thankies! And thanks go to all of you wonderful, supportive people who keep on reviewing! Reviews are a story's lifeblood, you know. ^_~ Now, everyone, look forward to the next chapter!

Next up: Lady Une!