Fran smoothed her black and white-striped miniskirt out right before she burst into Mr. Sheffield's office. She flung the door open and gave him a sexy smile.
"What can I ....dooo for you, Mr. Sheffield?" She cooed at him.
He didn't even look up from his paperwork. She slunk over to his desk and perched herself on the edge batting her eyelashes at him.
"Oh do sit down Miss Fine," he replied without looking up.
Fran made a face like 'What do you think I just did??'
Mr. Sheffield finally looked up.
"Oh! You are...well then. I wanted to talk to you about—"
"Us??" She interrupted him leaning forward.
"—Maggie," he finished giving her a raised eyebrow.
"OHH." Fran looked like she swallowed a sour grape.
"I am a little concerned. She's been spending quite a bit of time with that...oh what would you call him...boy toy of hers."
"Wish I had one of those," she muttered under her breath as she glanced at him.
"Hmm? Ah well anyway just make sure she's in by 11:00," he said absentmindedly while rifling through some headshots.
"A.M.? Sure," Fran said talking to herself again.
"Hm? Yes, yes," he replied. "Well that'll be all Miss Fine."
Fran made no move.
"Is there something else Miss Fine?"
"Boy do I wish..." she began muttering and changed tactics, "Well we need groceries..."
Mr. Sheffield pulled his wallet out and handed her several twenties.
Fran nodded eagerly and continued, "And uh I've been feeling a little under the weather..."
"Oh? Take the rest of the afternoon off."
"My motha' wants to stay for dinner..." she winced waiting for the groan.
"Yes, fine. Here's another $100 for groceries in that case," He murmured already engrossed in his work again.
Fran smiled and bent down close to his ear. "And you...." she whispered slyly, "I need you, want you...TAKE ME!"
"Hm? Oh well I'll take you to dinner at NEEDWAN'S China House soon, I promise."
Fran clenched her fists in aggravation, "Ah! That's it, just when I thought he was listenin'," she muttered to herself as she left his office.
Fran walked into the hall not paying much attention to the fact that she had slammed the door so hard it rattled in its hinges. She sighed dejectedly and walked into the living room picking up a plate of chocolate godivas.
Biting succulently into one she thought about Niles' idea and wondered if it was crazy enough to work. But she didn't want Niles to lose his job over such a crazy stunt; she loved him to death. He was her right arm. BUT ...upon hiring her Mr. Sheffield had never actually said she couldn't date the other help...
Niles wandered into the living room absentmindedly dusting picture frames but really keeping his eye on Miss Fine. She appeared deep in thought.
He walked over to her and put an arm on her shoulder.
"AGGHH!" Fran jumped a mile out of her skin.
Niles kept his composure and calmly asked, "Everything all right Miss Fine?"
"Great, just great!...Ohhh Nyyyuuules!!" Fran tried to force a smile as she held back a sob. Niles sat down beside her on the couch and wrapped his strong arms around her thin frame. He patted her back soothingly as she sniffled.
"Ffiles, ffffiles I fanna nyy yeh mdea," she said muffled through his embrace.
"Hmm?" He said pulling away so she could speak clearly. He pulled a handkerchief out of his suit pocket and gently wiped her eyes so her mascara wouldn't run.
She nodded gratefully and took a breath. "Niles...I want to try your idea." She pulled away searching his face.