"Let's go," Tracy said to Penny, who was currently taking a rather long time to get herself dressed and ready in the school bathroom.
"I'm coming. One second."
"Wow, Penny," Tracy sighed, as Penny stepped out of the stall. She was wearing the same gorgeous dress she had to the Miss Hairspray pageant. "You look so pretty. I'm sure Seaweed will be really impressed."
"Hopefully," Penny said, fixing an earring.
"Our chauffeur is waiting," Tracy giggled, gesturing to Link, who was waiting in his car.
"Great," Penny sighed, struggling slightly in her tight dress and heels. "I don't think I could walk to my house, let alone the studio. Thanks, Link."
"Milady," Link said, bowing deep to Penny and opening the passenger door.
"Thanks," Penny giggled, settling into the seat.
Tracy squished herself into a back seat of the small convertible, glad the ride to the studio would be short.
"So, where's he taking you, Penny?" she asked.
"Must be pretty hip," Link put in.
"Oh, it is," Penny assured me. "He's taking me to a place called Anthony's. It's downtown."
Is it safe?Tracy mouthed, but Link had already turned back to face forward and look at the road. Tracy folded her arms, worried.
"We're here," Penny announced.
Link exited the car to open Penny and Tracy's doors.
"I've gotta go get ready," he said, beginning to head off.
"Thanks again for the ride!" Penny called after him.
"C'mon. Let's sneak you into my trailer before Seaweed sees you," Tracy said, taking Penny's hand and leading her off.
"Good afternoon, dear," Mary, Tracy's hair and makeup artist, greeted her, as they entered the trailer. She looked Penny over, with a subtle but critical eye. "Oh, and who is this?"
"My friend Penny," Tracy announced. "Can I stash her here for a while?"
"Oh, okay dear," Mary said.
"It's her and her boyfriend's anniversary. She got all dressed up for them to go out to dinner, and I don't want him to see her yet," Tracy explained. "Oh, and can you show her to Seaweed Stubbs' trailer in a few minutes? She can wait there for him until we're done filming."
"Uh." Mary hesitated. "Sure."
"Seaweed is my boyfriend," Penny said flatly, in case Mary hadn't figured it out.
"How nice," Mary said, with a tiny smile.
Penny rolled at Tracy when Mary looked the other way. She was obviously just another old traditionalist who didn't like it or think it was right when people of different races were going together. Tracy gave Penny a sympathetic look, understanding.
"Okay, dear, I'm ready for you," Mary said to Tracy, who sat down in a salon chair next to a lit vanity.
"Hey, there's me," Penny noted, pointing to a picture of her on the vanity.
"Yep," Tracy said, watching her friend's eyes trace around the frame of the mirror in her reflection.
"The picture of Link has a lipstick mark on it," Penny laughed.
"Oh, ya found me out," Tracy mock-sighed. "I'm in love with Link Larkin."
"You're done, dear," Mary said quickly.
"Thanks, Mary. I guess I'd better get going." She checked her watch; filming started in only a few minutes. "Happy anniversary, Penny. Have fun tonight, and be safe, okay?"
As Tracy left the room, Penny felt a coldness enter.
"Uh, Miss Mary, I think I can find Seaweed's trailer myself. But thanks for offering," she said, pointedly.
Mary, busy putting Tracy's makeup away, didn't look up.
"Well, …bye."
Penny left the room, careful not to slam the door in her hurry to get to a happier – and more accepting – place.