"Well, Miss Fine heard that we were desperate to find an actress, so....I said she could audition," Max mumbled. He hadn't taken into account C.C.'s feelings toward Nanny Fine.
"Maxwell, are you crazy? We'll be the laughingstock of Broadway!" C.C. exclaimed.
"Actually, she was rather good," Max replied. "I mean it, given the right role, Miss Fine does have some acting talent."
"Oh, please! Nanny Fine, act? I know that, for some unknown reason, you find yourself attracted to her, but that does NOT mean you need to make her the lead in a Broadway show!" C.C. said angrily.
Just then, Fran came down from the stage and ran over to Max. "How'd I do, Mr. Sheffield?" she asked excitedly.
Max looked over at his investor, then at Fran. "It seems you've got the part."
"Oh, thank you, Mr. Sheffield!" Fran threw her arms around her boss. "I've got to call Ma!" With that, Fran ran off to make her phone call.
"I'm telling you, Maxwell, this is going to blow up in our faces," C.C. said. "From now on, I'm not letting you handle these auditions alone. You just cannot keep your personal feelings aside for once."
"I know that Miss Fine and I have a...relationship," Max admitted. "But I was not the one who hired her. "It was Charlie here who decided he wanted her." Max put his arm around his investor.
"I don't know what you're worried about, C.C.," the investor said. "With that kind of charisma and passion, she's perfect for the part. She could even be the biggest thing on Broadway."
C.C. laughed sarcastically. "Right, it's the classic Hollywood story. From nanny to Broadway star. Happens all the time."
That night, the family sat down to dinner. Fran was practically glowing. The kids repeatedly asked her what was up, but all she would say was, "I'll tell you at dinner."
"OK, Fran, it's dinner time. Now, spill!" Brighton commanded as he sat down.
Fran laughed. "I guess I've kept you kids in suspense long enough. I went down to the theater this afternoon to audition, and your father's given me a job in his new Broadway show!"
This news was met with a chorus of "That's great, Fran!" and various other exclamations from the kids.
"Oh, yes, Miss Fine, this is wonderful news," Niles said sarcastically as he served her. "Now, while you're off becoming a Broadway star, I'll be left with the children."
"What?" Fran asked. "I thought you'd be happy for me."
"It's just that, I've asked Mr. Sheffield to put me in a play several times, and never even been offered an audition. You ask to be in a play, and next thing you know, you're the lead!"
"Niles, I was looking for an actress," Max said calmly. "I'm sorry, old man, but you don't exactly fit the bill."
"No, but Miss Fine is perfect to play a factory worker from Iowa," Niles muttered to himself as he walked into the kitchen.
"Oh, Miss Fine after dinner I would like to talk to you in my office about the play," Max said as he was finishing up his dinner.
"Sure thing, Mr. Sheffield. I can't wait to start rehearsing," Fran replied.
Shortly afterwards Max finished his dinner and left to start on some paper work before Fran came to see him.
He heard a knock on the door and looked up to see Fran walk in. "So, what do you want to discuss, Mr. Sheffield. Is now the time I tell you all my demands I have as a leading actress," Fran said with a wink.
"Uh, No Miss Fine. Now is the time I lay down some ground rules for you being in the play," Maxwell said a little uneasily.
"Ground rules? I don't think I like the sound of that," Fran said. "Didn't you think I did a good job, Mr. Sheffield? I just know I am going to do a good job for you, trust me."
"Well, truthfully Miss Fine it was the investors that thought you did a great job. Not that I didn't think you were OK," Maxwell quickly said off Fran's look. "I just want to set some things straight before you start rehearsal tomorrow."
"Well, for starters, I'd like our relationship as producer and actress to be a bit more professional than it is as boss and nanny," Max said.
"What do you mean, 'professional'?" Fran asked, not sure she liked where this was heading.
"While we're at the theater, I'd prefer it if you didn't sit on my desk, or flirt with me like you do around here. Producers have a reputation for being 'involved' with their actresses, and I don't want anyone getting the wrong idea about us," Max explained.
"Are you ashamed of me?" Fran asked, appalled. "I see how it is, Maxwell Sheffield! I'm good enough for you here, but around your theater friends, it's a different story!" With that, Fran stormed out of the room, leaving Max completely in shock.
Maxwell sat back down in his chair and pressed the intercom button, "Niles, what just happened here? "
"Oh, I see you want me to help you now, after you snubbed me from your play," replied a hurt Niles.
"Not you, too, Niles. Just knock it off, and explain to me why Miss Fine just got so upset," yelled an annoyed Maxwell.
"Well sir, it seems once again you acted like an idiot," responded Niles. " You hurt Miss Fine's feelings by implying that she is just a tease and would embarrass you at the theater."
"That's not what I meant Niles," Max said in defense.
"Ahh, but that's what it sounded like, sir," replied Niles.
"Oh, what am I going to do Niles? I don't want to hurt Miss Fine's feelings, but I do want her to behave professionally at the theater," said Max.
"Miss Fine will be fine. Just treat her with respect, and she will do the same," Niles told his boss.
"Oh, I hope you're right, Niles," Max concluded.
A/N: Thanks for the reviews. Please keep them coming. Coming up next: How Fran handles 'professionalism'- the first day of rehearsals. Should be good!!