The next morning, Niles walked into Maxwell's office. "Miss Babcock's here, sir," he said. C.C. came in.
"Thank you, Niles. You can go now," Maxwell replied.
"Oh, that's all right. I've got some time to spare. I'd really like to stay for this," Niles said with a grin.
C.C. turned to the butler. "Maxwell and I have work to do. Why don't you go find something constructive to do, like playing in traffic?"
"Where do you come up with such witty comebacks?" Niles asked sarcastically. He turned around and pretended to dust the bookshelves.
After giving Niles a good glare, C.C. turned back to Max. "By the way, what time do you want me to pick you up on Saturday night for the backers' party?"
"Oh, yes, C.C., I wanted to talk to you about that, too," Maxwell said. Upon hearing this, Niles quit "dusting" and came over to Max's desk to better hear the conversation.
"What is it, Maxwell? If you'd rather pick me up at my place, that's fine too," C.C. replied.
Max swallowed nervously. "Well, you see, I've kind of asked someone else to be my date for the party."
"Maxwell!" C.C. exclaimed, obviously annoyed. "You know you and I always go to these things together!"
"I'm sorry, C.C. I just thought it would be a nice change of pace if we went with someone else for once," Maxwell said.
"Oh, Miss Babcock can't bring a date, sir. She and her crash dummy broke up," Niles said.
"Niles, please!" Maxwell said.
"Well, who's the lucky woman?" C.C. asked. Max mumbled something unintelligible under his breath.
"Sir, I don't think Miss Babcock heard you," Niles said.
"Oh all right! I'm taking Miss Fine to the party!" Maxwell exclaimed.
C.C. laughed hysterically. "You're taking Nanny Fine to a backers' party?!"
"Yes, I am. I know Miss Fine may not seem particularly sophisticated, but she has a certain charm. I think she would fit in quite well," Maxwell replied.
"Nanny Fine, fit in among some of the wealthiest people in this city? Maxwell, you must be joking!" C.C. said. "You know what I think? I think you're letting your 'little producer' make your decisions for you again."
"I am not!" Maxwell said indignantly. "I just want to do something nice for Miss Fine to make up for what I've done to her."
C.C. turned to Niles. "You had something to do with this, didn't you, Hazel?"
"Me? Why would you think that?" Niles said innocently.
"Oh, come on!" C.C. exclaimed. "You're always trying to get Maxwell and Nanny Fine together. That's your other hobby, after listening in on Maxwell's phone calls."
Niles grinned at C.C. "You forgot about my favorite pastime," he said. "Torturing you."
The next afternoon, Val came over to help Fran decide what to wear for the party. Fran spread out all the possibilities on her bed. As she looked at the various dresses, Val turned to her best friend. "I can't believe Mr. Sheffield finally asked you out! It's just like Cinderella, except without the ugly stepsisters."
Fran laughed. "You obviously haven't seen my sister Nadine lately. Meanwhile, you're supposed to be helping me decide what to wear. This is my big chance with Mr. Sheffield! I don't want to blow it."
"Well, why are we going through your closet, instead of just going over to Loehmann's and picking out something new?" Val asked.
"I got rid of most of my credit cards after I had that compulsive-shopping thing last year," Fran replied.
Val nodded. "I remember that. I wonder what cured you so fast."
Fran shrugged. "What I'd like to know is why Mr. Sheffield wouldn't look me in the eye for two days after that." She turned back to the clothes that were still lying on the bed. "Now, can we please cut the chit-chat and pick out something for this big date?"
"OK, well, how about this one?" Val asked, holding up a red sequined dress.
"Yeah, that could work," Fran said with a smile. "This is the dress I wore to the backers' party on my first night here."
"Oh, that's right," Val said, nodding. "Didn't you tell me Mr. Sheffield's eyes almost popped out when he saw it?"
"Yup," Fran agreed. "And I thought Miss Babcock was going to faint on the spot." She took the dress from her friend. With a wink, she added, "I think we have a winner."