Previously on Stranger...Girl/Pretty Wife travels to see Dan "the Dry" Drycleaner Drysdale for some answers...
And now, on a very special installment of "A Stranger in Town..."
Pretty Wife and Junior arrive at Dan's Drycleaning just as he is turning over some freshly-pressed suits and jackets to Mrs. Jackson Thoroughgood, the prissiest and richest old biddy in town.
"Yes, Mrs. Thoroughgood, I had all Mr. Thoroughgood's suits pressed and starched, just as he likes them."
"Well, I should certainly hope so. He has that big conference coming up in Dallas, you know. Good day, Mr. Drysdale."
"Good day, Mrs. Thoroughgood." Dan winks at Pretty Wife. "And how can I help you today, ma'am?"
"Here for my daily pickup and drop-off," Pretty Wife responds as she hands over the ticket C.H. had given her that morning, doing her best to appear breezy and nonchalant. Darn if that Dan Drysdale wasn't a looker, after all!
"I'll take those," Dan smiles, relieving Pretty Wife of her ticket and dirty clothing. "And how are you on this fine morning?"
"Oh, we couldn't be better!" Pretty Wife declares, lovingly caressing Junior's cheek. "We've all been doing very well. In fact, C.H. brought a co-worker home last evening to share in our joy."
"Is that right? Bob? Hasn't that bachelor learned to cook for himself yet?"
"No, it wasn't Bob. It was a new guy--What was his name?"
Dan's ever-present smile and accompanying dimples disappeared. "Tall guy with dark hair, sort of a basketball-player build?"
"Yes! He stayed for dinner and drinks. Seemed like a nice fellow." Pretty Wife was studying Dan for a reaction, but his poker face returned.
"Yeah, I've seen them having lunch over at Phil's Diner. They always seem to be deep in conversation about something."
"Oh, really? Where is he from, anyway? He seems to have blown into town from nowhere." Pretty Wife's attempts at appearing nonchalant were vanishing. If Dan knew something about this guy, she was going to do her best to get it out of him.
"I'm not sure. All I know is that he works with your husband at the bank. A loan officer, maybe. $25.36."
"Excuse me?"
"That'll be $25.36 for today's drycleaning, ma'am. And here's your ticket for tomorrow's pickup." Drycleaner Dan's smile brought Pretty Wife back to reality.
"Oh. Right. Here you go. Guess I'd better get Junior home and into bed for his nap. See you tomorrow."
"Good Day, ma'am," Dan drawled, as she exited the establishment.
Pretty Wife quickly gathered her drycleaning ticket and her son, and headed back to her vehicle. She fastened Junior into his carseat; as she then put her sensible car into gear and headed home, her mind was racing. Something didn't seem quite right about the conversation she'd just had with Drycleaner Dan. Why did he cut her off when she began asking for details about Stranger?
Before today, he had always been very friendly and helpful--today he seemed to clam up when Deadboy was mentioned. Oh, well...at least she knew that Deadboy and C.H. lunched together regularly.
Pretty Wife decided to give a friend from Mommy and Me class a call as she pulled into her driveway. After all, Rebecca was a waitress at Phil's Diner--perhaps she might be able to shed a little light on things.
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...to be continued...
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Disclaimer: This fiction is intended as parody only; the characters, plot, etc., are the intellectual property of its authors. This story is not in any way affiliated with the Lifetime Channel, Lifetime Television, or the Lifetime Original Movie franchise.
by: Neftzer and friends (AAB, TRVMB, JMG, KLS) (c)2003
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