Almost done writing this story, sad and kinda happy at the same time...if that's possible
Disclaimer: I own nothing…enjoy!
"Where the hell have you been?" Patricia asked angrily as Cammie approached her.
"I had to help out a friend," Cammie said.
"Well I hope it was worth it," Patricia said snobbily.
"You know what, it was," Cammie said with a small smile, "How's the show going?"
"Like rearranging patio furniture on the Titanic," Patricia sighed, "And who are these bizarre friends of yours?"
"They were just leaving," Cammie said marching over to Dillon and Antonio, who were in a shoving match, with the coins in her hand. "Okay guys time to…" Cammie started as Dillon shoved Antonio right into her and all the coins went flying out of her hand. "No!" she shouted running after the coins.
"Where are you going?" Patricia demanded as she watched Cammie scurry after the coins.
"I'll be right back," Cammie called.
"For God's sake let it go!" Patricia called after her.
Cammie ignored her and chased after the coins. Mrs. Dabney, one of the many donors to the museum reached down and picked up two of the coins that had rolled to her feet. Antonio and Mr. Smith suddenly stopped and blinked a few times as if a spell was being lifted.
"Buona serra, bella," Antonio said rushing up to Mrs. Dabney and kissing her hand.
"I don't speak Mexican," Mrs. Dabney told him.
"Your skin, it is so pale. The veins of your arms as blue as the highlights in your hair," Antonio gushed, "I must paint you!"
"Move it meatball," Mr. Smith said bumping Antonio out of the way, "Good evening Mrs. Dabney, you're looking lovely this evening."
"Oh dear," Mrs. Dabney said looking between the two men.
At the Bar:
Ms. Ford, another museum donor, downed her fifth martini as a quarter rolled next to her foot. She picked it up and examined it. "It's rubber," she said bending the quarter backward.
"Shhhh," Dillon said suddenly appearing and put a finger to her lips, "A magician never tells his secrets. One has to be discrete."
"Oh my," Ms. Ford said placing a hand daintily on her heart.
"I'm in the market for a lovely magician's assistant," Dillon said with a smirk, "Tell me, have you ever been sawed in half before?"
"Well," Ms. Ford started, "I had my gull bladder removed once."
Some Corner in the Room:
Mr. Chester, one of the museum's most generous and gay donors picked up a nickel as it stopped next to his foot.
"Check it out," the gorgeous construction guy said coming up to him showing off his eight-pack.
"Oh my," Mr. Chester said eyeing him.
"What are you staring at Chris?" Mr. Chester's 'partner' asked as he appeared next to him.
"Same thing you are Phillpe," Chris answered smirking at the construction guy.
2nd Floor of the Museum:
Little Zoe Hunt happily picked up a penny that she saw a feet away from her.
"Hi," Oliver said walking up to her.
"Hello," Zoe answered.
"Did you know that your left lung is smaller than your right lung to make room for your heart?" Oliver asked.
"Really?" Zoe said impressed.
"I think I need to make more room," Oliver said with a sheepish smile.
Zoe smiled shyly too as she and Oliver made their way over to the buffet table.
Bottom floor of the Museum:
Cammie finally caught up with the last coin, well poker chip, on the bottom floor. She jumped out to grab it and did so successfully, landing at Zach's feet.
"Oh, hi," she said with a sheepish smile and pushed her bangs out of her face.
Main Room:
"What the hell is going on here!" Mr. Worthington, the museum's CEO, said unhappily looking around the room at the giant love fest going on.
"I, uh," Patricia tried to explain, flustered.
"I can explain," Cammie said walking into the room.
Everyone turned to look at her and Zach gave her a thumbs up.
"Welcome to the Art of the Muse," Cammie said.
"What kind of art is that?" Mr. Hunt asked.
"The muse is the source of the artist's inspiration," Cammie explained, "But for Picasso, the muse was the art itself."
Cammie hit the light switch to reveal Antonio's sketches of her surrounding the painting of the 'Women With the Yellow Hair'. "Oh no," she said with a panicked look on her face.
"Is this you?" Mr. Worthington asked.
"It looks like the mural outside," Mrs. Dabney added.
"It is the mural outside," Mrs. Ford said.
"You're the Face Lady of New York?" Liz asked Cammie.
"This one is of her too!" Chris said pointing to the sculpture of chewing gum Oliver was holding, "Is that chewing gum?"
"You put yourself in the exhibit?" Patricia said eyeing her.
"Yes, I did," Cammie stuttered.
"But why?" Mr. Worthington asked.
"Well, this week I was fortunate to feel something I've never felt before…adored. The same way some of you are feeling right now," She said as she smiled and looked at all her old suitors and their new love interests, "The Gallagher believes the audience shouldn't be separated from the art. Frank Lloyd Wright's dramatic design was created to make art inclusive. We are all a work of art in our own way, we are all muses, and it's through generous contributions of people like you that make this experience possible."
"Bravo!" Mr. Worthington said clapping and soon everyone in the museum was clapping as well.
"Thank you," Cammie smiled as she discretely plucked the coins out of the hands of the current owners and stuck them in her purse.
Later on:
Cammie had rounded up all the coins and gathered all her suitors in her office.
"You guys really saved my butt tonight," she smiled crossing her arms.
"We did?" Charlie asked.
"Que fah?" Antonio added.
"What just happened?" Oliver said.
"I'll explain later," Cammie promised.
"When can we see you again?" Dillon asked.
"Tomorrow and I'll have something for each of you," Cammie said.
"A gift?" Antonio said, "I can't wait!"
They all filed out the door as Cammie turned to Zach.
"Looks like you didn't need my help after all," he said with a small smile.
"Zach," she said as he looked at her hopeful, "Never mind..."
He nodded and left as Cammie shut the lights off in her office and gathered her things. She walked out and noticed Liz outside her office getting a foot massage from the hot construction worker.
"Yeah, that's it right between the toes," Liz sighed happily as he massaged her foot.
"Liz," Cammie said narrowing her eyes and held out her hand for the coin.
"Fine," Liz said giving in and plopped the coin into Cammie's hand.
As soon as she did, the hot construction guy dropped her foot quickly and left.
"Hey! Wait! You didn't do the other one!" Liz called running after him as Cammie sighed and dropped the coin into her pocket as she got into the elevator.
Hmmm, what could Cammie's gift be...?