Chapter 3: I Can Dream, Can't I
The room was considerably dark, the only source of light coming from the small luminaire by the writing table. Peggy had stopped scrabbling notes for her mission's report, stretching out on the bulky chair, with her feet on the table and holding a glass of red wine in her right hand. Music was softly playing on the radio. Peggy took a sip from the glass while reflecting about the last day's events.
The jolly girl from earlier, Angie, had made an impression and Peggy was having fun entertaining herself with the hope of seeing her again…if Angie had time for that – performing the leading role in an important play sounded too time-consuming and for all the girl knew, Peggy was just a simple attendant at the theatre and Broadway stars don't have time to waste on small folk like her. The thought made Peggy sigh and lay the glass on the desk, putting her feet down and heading back to her notes.
She took a look at the paper, where in the middle of all the scrawls, a circle in red ink highlighted two words: 'mysterious woman'. Peggy had been thinking about her and all the oddity that had surrounded their encounter. She didn't really fit along with all the other women Peggy had seen during the day neither the agent believed she was there for the auditions, since the only time she had laid eyes on the mysterious woman had been at the time of their meeting by the bathroom door. If Peggy had to pick someone worth mention in her report it would be that woman, but what would she describe? How reckless she had behaved? No, that didn't seem an option. Still, she wouldn't leave it unchallenged and a while after Peggy decided she would need to check the bathroom in the hope of finding something of interest there. She would also have to do it before anyone could clean the place in the morning.
Peggy yawned.
Her wristwatch indicated it was time to go to bed, so she drank what was remaining of wine in the glass, turned off the light and went to her bedroom, setting her alarm to an hour earlier than the previous day.
[the next day]
The bathroom wasn't large and Peggy was sincerely thankful for that. She put on a pair of gloves and initiated the inspection in the toilet compartments, where she got mildly disgusted when checking the cans and also wished she could lose her sense of smell for the moment. She went for the hall with the washbasins afterwards, examining all the pipes under the counter, not finding anything rather than sludge and humidity.
Peggy got up and rested her back and arms against and on the counter, slowly losing her hope of finding something of value, though there was still a big wastepaper recipient to inspect. Fortunately that one would offer less filth. Peggy lifted the basket and turned it upside down, making the content inside spread on the floor.
Among the huddle of used paper towel, a crumpled plastic wrapper fled further and Peggy set the basket back on the ground, headed to the plastic and picked it, unwrapping the malleable material. A bundle of red hair fell from it, taking Peggy by surprise and making her step backwards. She read the inscription on the plastic, noticing it came from a laundry service store. She then carefully grabbed the hair from the ground, recognizing it as a wig. There was also a receipt hidden in it, indicating the washing of a dress at the laundry store.
Peggy thought again about the meeting with the mysterious woman and how she needed help with her dress, a dress that could very well be the one that once was inside the plastic. A victorious smirk appeared on the agent's face. She quickly put the discovered items in a new bag so she could take them with her, retrieved the waste to the basket and exited the bathroom, being careful in order to not be noticed.
Peggy's second day at work was being more generous to her, since now there were no auditions, which meant a quieter environment and relaxing breaks every now and then. During one of those times, Peggy took the opportunity to meet an SSR agent so she could deliver them the items found earlier in the bathroom. What she wasn't expecting was encountering a certain someone at the meeting point.
Peggy was waiting for an agent to show up, sitting on a bench at the Bryant Park, when someone touched her right shoulder.
"Hi, Sarah!" Angie appeared out of nowhere, greeting Peggy with a big smile on her face. It was unbelievable how fresh and energetic Angie seemed all the time, regardless of the situation.
Peggy was completely caught by surprise but attempted to conceal her reaction and act normal.
"Oh, hello Angie! What brings you to the park at this hour?" Somehow, Peggy's response sounded satisfyingly convincing, but she was still worried about the whole situation. An agent would come anytime soon and Peggy would be seen chatting with Angie, instead of handling them the package and delivering some potentially helpful information. She would also need extra care to not endanger her undercover.
"Came for inspiration. This morning I was given the script of the play." Angie proudly waved a file in the air and sat on the bench. "Within a few days we start practicing all together but for now I have to manage it alone and staying at an hotel room by myself doesn't really help. On the other hand, the fresh air, the colours, the people…they all inspire me and make me feel alive. I need this!" Angie closed her eyes and inbreathed deeply, holding the scrip tight to her chest, like initiating some spiritual connection with what surrounded her. When the moment was over she looked back at Peggy. "And what are you doing here?"
Peggy had been distracted admiring Angie and the sudden question made dozen ideas pass through her mind.
"I came to meet friend", she abruptly said. She also remembered the package laying beside her feet and used her left foot to slowly drag it under the bench, without the other woman noticing.
"Oh, I see, like a friend 'friend'?" the girl suggested with a curious look.
Distressed and trying to hide that fact, while also looking around to spot a potential agent, Peggy unwillingly ignored the implied question.
"I mean, you don't visit regular friends on what I assume to be a small break? It has to be someone important, right?" Angie kept rambling and questioning and Peggy was having troubles keeping track of it. "Also, it seems very unlikely for a gal like you to be free from the heart…very unlikely." Angie added the last part with less enthusiasm.
Right in that moment, Peggy sighted Agent Thompson a bit far from them, near an ice cream truck, leaning on a tree and acting casual, only giving a few glances in Peggy's direction. She had to act fast and without looking too suspicious.
"Remember that coffee I was owing you? Would you mind if we changed that for an ice cream?" Peggy asked.
Angie seemed slightly confused at first, maybe because Peggy had cut her off with the abrupt proposal.
"I guess it's fine, I like ice cream."
"What about we have that ice cream now?" Peggy rapidly suggested.
"Now? But isn't your friend coming over?"
Angie seemed even more confused now and it made Peggy more nervous. For someone who wanted to not look suspicious, she was certainly doing her worst.
"I believe they're not coming anymore and I want to make the best of my break so why not spend it with you?" This time Peggy managed a sincere smile. She really wanted to be with Angie, even though the situation was messing with her intentions.
"If you say so…I accept." Angie finally answered.
"Great!"
Peggy still needed to meet Thompson without Angie seeing them.
"Ah, one more thing," the agent opened her purse and took a paper bag with something inside. "I had this piece of bread saved so I could feed it to the pigeons there, by the trees," Peggy indicatively looked at the opposite side of the park. "It's an old habit and I really don't like to waste food. Maybe you could do it for me while I go get the ice creams? I'll meet you there."
"Alright". Angie held out her hand so Peggy could give her the bread and the latter did it so. "Don't take too long, okay?" Angie sweetly requested.
"I won't." Peggy assured her.
With that, both parted in different directions, Angie first and then Peggy, after getting the package from under the bench.
When Peggy reached Thompson, he also wore a confused look, even though Peggy was sure there was also judgement in the mix. Something Thompson proved right away.
"What the hell was that, Carter? Bringing friends to secret meetings? What are you going to do next? Invite them to visit our facilities? I warned the chief an-"
"Give me a break, Thompson", Peggy cut him off. "I can't control who I encounter in public places and what I do or do not in my mission is none of your business. I also must say I'm surprised for seeing you here, didn't imagine the chief would send you. Tell me, are you also taking the lunch orders now?" Peggy finished with a smirk.
"Hilarious, Carter. What do you have?" he asked, changing the subject. Peggy handled him the package.
"Found this at the theatre's bathroom. I believe it belonged to a suspicious woman I had an encounter with"
"A woman? You think a woman can lead us to something?" Thompson inquired, visibly reticent.
"Please, Agent Thompson, don't let your basic ideas get in the way. Let me also remind you it's a woman that is heading this mission." Given his reluctant silence, Peggy continued. "Inside there's an address to a laundry and a receipt. You need to go there, find all you can about who ordered the service and work on that. It can be the wrong track but it's something and we need to figure it out."
"Is it all?" Thompson asked seconds after Peggy was done. "Yes", Peggy answered, but added "Next time I give you my reports for you to review. A simple woman's job, as you told me several times."
The teasing made Thompson clench his teeth, turn around and leave. Peggy didn't need to anger the agent like that but there was something irresistible about using his own shameful treatment against him.
Minutes after, Peggy was back to Angie, with two ice creams in her hands. The other woman was now surrounded by dozens of pigeons and grumbling something about them not having patience and that there was bread for everyone. She also heard a couple of words in what seemed to be Italian. The situation made Peggy giggle and the sound warned Angie about Peggy's presence.
"Do you think this is funny, English?" Angie asked as she turned around to face the Englishwoman, while driving off some birds that were trying to take the bread right from her hands. "Next time I'll throw it into your hair and see what these flying rats make of you." As she said that, Angie aimed the last piece of bread away from her, making the pigeons follow it and leave her.
"That's awfully threatening, Miss Martinelli." Peggy teased along, now getting closer to Angie, who was softly wagging her clothes and shaking off a few small feathers.
"I must smell like a pigeon now," Angie moaned and Peggy got closer, invading her personal space and sniffing her hair.
"The most fragrant pigeon of all." The compliment made Angie blush and Peggy got secretly pleased by that fact. "Well, we have vanilla and strawberry, which one do you prefer?" Peggy asked, handing both ice creams to Angie.
"I love vanilla. Pa used to buy me those when I was a young girl. 'Per la mia dolce principessa', he would always say – I'm his only daughter, so…" Angie picked the vanilla ice cream and licked its top, which was melting. "Hmmm, tastes delicious!"
"You're Italian?" Peggy questioned after trying her own ice cream. She was glad Angie's favourite was vanilla since strawberry was Peggy's.
"Well, technically I'm American, but yes, my family's ancestry is Italian. Back in Italy my grandparents had a hard time and decided to come to the United States. My parents grew up together and ended up marrying. And having a bunch of children…we're kind of a big family". Peggy noticed how gleeful Angie felt about her family.
They both eventually decided to sit on the grass, between bushes, as they ate their ice creams.
"What about you, English? How did you end up here?"
It was a tricky question and Peggy had to be careful about what she would tell about her past – or Sarah's past.
"I came when the war started. I worked at the army".
Angie's eyes wide-opened.
"Like a soldier? You were a soldier at the war?" The girl sounded highly impressed by the possibility and it made Peggy happy, even though she couldn't admit the truth, since it was threatening to her true identity and mission.
However, nothing prevented Sarah and Peggy from having similar pasts.
"Oh no, I was a secretary. But I accompanied the army in their campaign through Europe too."
"It must have been brutal," Angie commented after a pause, now taking a more serious position.
"Yes…it was." The sudden change of tone in the conversation saddened Peggy, who was reminded of less happy memories and especially the memory of a man she loved and now was gone. Angie quietly studied Peggy's face.
"Hey…I'm sorry for bringing the subject, ok?" Angie seemed embarrassed but still managed to caress Peggy's shoulder, comforting her.
"It's ok, you didn't do anything wrong." Peggy assured, trying to put the other woman at ease again.
When she looked back, she noticed Angie had the corners of her mouth messy with ice cream and couldn't help but give a small laugh at the sight, the bad thoughts slowly fading away.
"What?" The actress asked, slightly confused.
"You've got ice cream all over your mouth."
"Is that so?" Angie said with a more lively voice. Then she slid her finger through the top of her ice cream and passed it on Peggy's nose. "Look who got their nose all dirty now!"
Peggy faked a shocked reaction and Angie kept playing her role, now spreading ice cream on her lips, as if she was applying lipstick. She pursed her lips like leaning for a kiss.
"Won't you give me a kiss, beautiful Sarah?", she joked, and both women immediately parted with laughs.
After their moment, Peggy got a small tissue from her purse and cleaned her nose. She then asked Angie for permission to wipe the last traces of ice cream she had on her face. When Angie nodded, Peggy used her left hand to carefully grab Angie's chin with the tips of her fingers and tenderly passed the tissue over the messy spots, studying Angie's features as she did it so. They were remarkably close and Angie kept switching looks between Peggy's eyes and lips.
Peggy's hand stopped moving.
There was some sort of tension building up and Peggy had an unexpected urge to do something she shouldn't even been thinking about. There was also a feeling inside her telling Angie wanted the same, but it couldn't be, so Peggy broke the moment, resuming the cleaning and moving away from Angie. The latter seemed lightly disappointed.
"There it is, all clean", Peggy said to break the awkward silence.
In that moment, the bells from the nearest church were heard, marking three o'clock and reminding Peggy her break was over.
"Damn, I should be at the theatre already. Mrs Dent is going to kill me! I'm sorry, Angie, I really need to go. I had a great time with you." She quickly got up and adjusted her clothes, ready to leave.
"I completely forgot about time. Thank you for the ice cream, English. Hope we can see each other soon."
"We will. At the theatre." Peggy smiled and started to walk, but turned around again. "Good luck with the script!" she said.
"Thank you for the inspiration," Angie replied.
When Peggy finally returned to the theatre, Elizabeth spotted her entering and nagged at her for being late.
"Where have you been? We need you here, not playing outside."
"Oh, guess I've been assuring the success of our next play," Peggy happily answered, heading to the service room and leaving a very confused Elizabeth behind.
Notes: First of all, I'm sorry for taking so much time to update the story. I've been travelling and dealing with personal stuff, but eventually decided it was better to keep writing. This chapter is also longer than the previous two, so I hope it somehow makes it up to you. Last but not least, this chapter's song is "I Can Dream, Can't I", by the Andrew Sisters (watch?v=Pto68TqHxKg).