Chapter 2: Hurting
The Fairbanks drive up to a $200,000 home with a black iron gate enclosing the surroundings. White pillars supported the big home with its porcelain-white roof. A fountain sits in the middle of the lawn with white beams shinning towards a marble statue of an elegant woman. Palm trees lined the property as multi-colored spotlights illuminate their sheer beauty. The lawn was cut short by a team of servants. The black asphalt driveway was lined with red roses. An Olympic-size pool was in the backyard surrounded by more fountains. It was an escape into luxury.
Claudia Minkridge stepped out of the white limo in which she was riding with her husband Oliver Minkridge to the year's best Hollywood party. Claudia was small for her size 5'3 which she barely stood while in high heels. Her red velvet dress was sweeping the ground while the front was a low cut v. Her golden curls lay down her back as if in a fairy tale, Green eyes shown with happiness as she greeted Greta and William.
"Darling, Greta, how have you been these fine days?" Claudia asked with a smile showing her white lovely teeth between her ruby red lips.
Greta stepped from her husband's side and welcomed her friend with a warm hug. "Oh marvelous, dear, been busy with the movies as you well know." Greta answered her friend with a smile. "Remember that film I was telling you about last week about how I was going to star with Humphrey Logarn? Well he shows up to rehearsal an hour late. We were all waiting when he storms in bursting with anger thorough papers all around yelling about how MGM gave him a parking ticket. If he would just ask for a parking spot he would stop getting those." She said with a laugh after telling Claudia about this event.
"Oh dear what a sight that must have been for you? I heard he is very good to work with though and not to mention good looking." Claudia said with a wide smile. While she was saying this she didn't realize that her husband was clearing his throat and shaking his head.
"Claudia dear will you stop going on about this star. The way Greta talks about him doesn't sound like he's that well to work with." Oliver said as he lit is own brand of cigars. His handsome figure was that. He was tall 5'11 with dark black hair that if he put your fingers through it was like a cloud. His eyes shown with wonder and mystery as the hazel eyes looked back at you. His small rather Clark Gable mustache was the touch of this looks. His black tux was the color of midnight with red velvet- like handkerchief protruding from his pocket.
Oliver hands William one of his world famous cigar. "How's work going for you, sir?" Oliver asked as he lit his cigar.
"It's going just fine I just got the lead role in some movie called: A ladies man. It's supposed to be a big thing in Hollywood I guess." William said laughing as his cigar sat in his mouth. "How is working going for you?"
"Just fine I just got the lead role in Wuthering Heights shooting starts next week." Oliver said shaking his head. This was one movie he didn't want to do same as William. They thought that those two movies where "Women" movies not men movies.
While the two couples where talking a lady of 25 stepped up to them. With the last name of Gustafferson which fit a Swede. This girl had shoulder link chestnut brown hair. She didn't seem very tall 5'3 at max her dark green eyes were like two lily pads sitting in the middle of a lake. Her personality seemed at top notice very happy and sweet so it would seem. Midnight blue dress gently caressed her small fragile body. "Darling brother how are you?" the lady asked with a smile going across her lips while her cute little accent came to be.
"Fine Alva dear and you how's that niece of mine?" Oliver asked with a chuckle. He always knew that his sister always brought new of her and her family that lived in Sweden.
"Just fine little Julia is growing so fast. You know she just started kindergarten." Alva said with a small laugh. Her daughter was always asking about America and how she wanted to visit there someday with her mama and papa.
"That's great to hear. Make sure you give this to her." Oliver said handing Alva a small wrapped box with a pink bow on top.
"I will give it to her and tell her it is from America and that you and Claudia send your love." Alva answered putting the box in her small purse.
Hearing of the Gustafferson's daughter made Greta wish with all her heart that she had a child about whom she and her husband could gloat.
The morning greeted Joan with a dazzling ray of sunshine across her pail white face. It was all a dream. In her mind she saw the beautiful set that lay before her. Many people running around getting ready for the next shot of the film surrounded her. The Dancing Lady was being filmed on one of MGM's finest lot. Many of the days stars stood about Clark Gable, Bette Davis and so many others that the world adored. But in all reality to Joan it was all a dream that was put in her mind that could never be reached.
While fantasizing about her dream Joan glanced up at the clock which had a glare from the sun it read 6:15. She had fifteen minutes to get to work or her boss would have her tail end and maybe her job. Joan raced to get ready and out the door she ran with her feet running rapidly down the sidewalks. Painting from the lack of air Joan made it to work with just a few seconds to spare.
All the while Joan had forgotten to eat breakfast. So she went to the back of the restaurant and got herself a muffin. While she was getting ready to eat it something happened. Mr. Richards came and snatched it away. This happened so fast that Joan didn't even realize it.
"What are you doing eating this! You know perfectly well that NO ONE eats while they are on the clock!" Mr. Richards yells while Joan just stands there in shock.
What was this man saying? Not being able to eat while on the job? Joan had to have something to eat or she wouldn't make it through the whole day.
"But...What…I…No food? All day long but Mr. Richards I'm so hungry I won't last." Joan said with sadness while her heart sank and stomach began to grawl.
"You should have thought of that before you came missy. You can eat on your time not on mine! Now get your little sassy ass out there and make me some money! NOW!" Mr. Richards said pointing at the door at which led to the diner.
Joan gave in and went and waited on people ordering good food. She walked over and picked up a wet cloth to wipe the nasty dirty counter off. In her own little world of having anything and everything her heart ever wanted Joan didn't notice a man coming up and siting at the counter. The man noticed that this young woman had a small bruise on her right hand.
"Excuse me miss." The voice said.
Joan looked up with a start. "I'm sorry sir what can I get you?" Joan asked picking up a little notepad and pen.
"Yes I will have coffee…black coffee thank you." a man in his mid 50's asked with a smile. Then he went to his morning paper.
"Coming right up sir," Joan said going and getting the coffee. A few minutes later she brought the coffee back to the man.
"Thank you miss-Joan." The man read Joan's name tag.
"You're quite welcome-"all of a sudden Joan didn't know what to call this man.
"It's Victor Clark." Victor said with a smile as he introduced himself to this young girl.
"Its-"
"Joan I need to see you NOW!" Mr. Richards said with anger in his voice.
"Alright sir," Joan said looking over her shoulder. Joan walked to the back of the restaurant when all of a sudden she was smacked a crossed her lovely face.
"Oh stop it your hurting me!" Joan yelled in pain as she put her hand over her cheek which was oozing blood.
"You do not talk back do you hear? You are not paid to talk to the customers you are paid to serve them. Keep this up and you won't have a job. I will throw you out into the streets and believe me I will do it." Mr. Richards yelled in Joan's face.
While all this was going on Victor could over hear the yelling and crying in the backroom. After things where quite for a little he heard another sound like something hitting…something hard.
"Please stop Mr. Richards you're hurting me very badly please stop." Joan begged her evil and manipulative boss as she fell to the floor in pain.
Finally after what seemed like forever Joan finally came out with a towel on her face. Mr. Clark looked at Joan with confusion in his eyes. Before he could ask Joan beat him to it.
"I'm fine…I just cut myself that was all." She said lying through her teeth.
"Good day Joan." Victor said as he finished the last drink of his coffee.
As soon as he was gone Joan buried her face on her folded arms. The tears flowed from her eyes and sobbing could be heard from her buried face throughout the whole restaurant. But no one turned to look because who could care for a servant girl?
"JOAN!" Mr. Richards yelled from the back room.
No what could he want now? Joan couldn't take much more of the beatings she often got from her boss. Her heart began to pick up beat when big loud footsteps could be heard coming up from behind her.
A/N: What do you think so far? Who could be coming up from behind Joan and what do they want?