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38

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After Ed's little fainting incident at the Brinkley's, Kathy had been poking fun at Ed and his excitement over a man.

The next morning as Kathy was dropping out a familiar ol' one-liner about Ed's 'incident', the phone rang. Ed walked to the phone table to answer it as Kathy waited patiently for Ed to come back so she could finish her teasing.

"Hello?"

"Edward!" Greeted Mr. Brinkley, certainly sounding more enthusiastic than the last time they had spoken on the phone.

"Mr. Brinkley, hey! What's going on?" Ed asked, holding as much enthusiasm as Brinkley. Most likely even more.

"Our film we've been working on has to start shooting next week, so I need you to gather actors to star in the film. You think you can handle that? I need a list by Tuesday."

"I can handle it just as much as I can handle a four-inch heel," Ed said, nodding and smiling to himself.

"Uhh... ok? Anyways, let's meet for lunch at McGinty's on Tuesday so you can show me your list. On Tuesday's they serve a special Super Mexicali Fiesta Brunch. You can't miss it."

"Believe me, I won't."

"I know. Well, it was nice talking. Goodbye."

"Goodbye." Ed replaced the receiver then fell back into a chair, fanning himself off.

Kathy looked at Ed from across the room, a wry look upon her face. "Let me guess. Oh... I'd say that was Mr. Brinkley, wasn't it?"

Ed continued to fan himself. "You're right." He looked around the room. "Woo... is it hot in here or is it just me?"

"Well, now I'd have to say it's just you, you lame-o because you just talked to your boyfriend and now you're all hot and bothered."

"I am not hot and bothered!" Ed whined girlishly.

"Yeah. And the sky's not blue. Give me a break."

"Hah. You're wrong. The sky's not blue. It's indigo."

"Oh? And where'd you learn that? Is it from color coordinating your dresses?"

Ed stopped fanning himself, crossed his arms over his chest and pouted. "Maybe."

Kathy continued to look at him with that sense of being up to something or against him for a moment longer, then the look turned into a smile, she walked over to Ed's chair and sat on his lap "Oh, honey. Don't you know I'm just kidding?"

Ed looked up at her, still pouting with his arms crossed. "You are?"

She turned and put her arms around his neck. "Yes. I find it cute that you have a... boyfriend."

"You do?" Ed asked, but it was getting harder to keep in his pouting position.

Kathy moved in and kissed his neck. "Yes." She kissed a bit lower. "I" Lower. "Do."

Ed laughed, uncrossed his arms and placed them around Kathy's waist. "Hah. That tickles."

"Good. Now, do you think that you'd enjoy it if it were Mr. Brinkley sitting on your lap instead?"

For a brief moment, Ed pictured Howard on his lap instead. Then the image disappeared and Ed cringed. Kathy nodded. "Exactly."

"Oh, I love you cupcake. Hey, you know Mr. Brinkley's got a new assignment for me." Kathy looked at Ed with a raised brow. "Yeah. It's a small job, though. He just wants me to fill all the actor's spots."

Kathy nodded. "Yeah... that sounds simple enough."

"Yup. Hey... you seemed to like the script. When you were reading it, did you have any actors in mind who would fit the roles?"

Kathy thought for a moment, then shook her head. "Sorry. No."

Ed nodded. "That's okay. I can manage myself. But thanks for the help anyway."

"Your welcome," Kathy replied and kissed him.

Ed smiled. "You know who I could really see playing the grandmother's role? I mean... It's just so perfect for them..."

"Who?"

"Bela."

"Bela? Oh... Ed. Bela died. Don't you remember? You went to his funeral..."

"Yeah, I know. But in my mind, it's just like a pair of Gucci gloves... a perfect fit. It's so him! I can just imagine him transforming into a werewolf and being chased by police. Aww... Bela..."

Kathy patted his shoulder. "Oh, I know, sweetie. But there's nothing you can do about it."

"Yeah. It's sad. But... there is something we an do, actually."

Kathy raised an eyebrow once more. "I hope it doesn't involve a shovel..."

Ed looked at her, appalled. "No, no! Not anything for the movie. There's nothing we can do about that. But we can go pay him our respects by visiting his grave."

"Oh, alright! That's really sweet. We should go tomorrow."

Ed nodded. "And so tomorrow it is."

Kathy nodded as well, then began unbuttoning Ed's shirt. Suddenly she stopped. "Ed, what's that?" Kathy asked, pointing.

Ed looked down and saw a red circular mark on his chest. He quickly began doing his shirt up again. "Nothing."

For the third time in their conversation, Kathy raised an eyebrow.