Chapter 20. You'd better watch out…
Sarah found herself sitting at the studio on Friday afternoon where they were recording voice-overs for a very long time. Making use of the wait, she made her Christmas list up, cursing herself for waiting until the last moment. Christmas was only two weeks away, and thanks to the amount of voice over work she'd been doing she had plenty of cash for gifts. She had pretty well planned out who and what when the director of the spot she was recording came out of the studio and apologized for keeping her waiting.
"Sarah, I'm so sorry to keep you waiting, we've had difficulty with one of our sponsors. He does not like the girl we got to do his ad…"He ushered her into the reading booth. "Here's the spot we want you to do, and here's the second ads"
"Not a problem Barry," she said dropping her coat and purse. She read over the first ad, smiled and said. "Let's shoot this puppy!"
Barry smiled back at her. "She's ready." He called as he walked out of the booth.
Sarah placed head phones on her ears, waited for the signal, then said in a breathy tone. "Chase Manhattan, a name you know."
The light went off and Barry smiled, "That's my girl. Get ready for the second recording." He watched her read, and then he gave the signal.
"Seasons Greetings from Chase Manhattan, a name you know." She said in a cheery tone. She was taking off the earphones when she saw Barry and a man speaking. The man she didn't know looked very excited.
Barry came into the booth, "Sarah, our client would like to meet you." He held a hand out to her. Leaving her belongings in the booth she exited the booth with Barry to be introduced to the client. "David Talmac, this is Sarah Williams, Sarah this is David Talmac of Talmac and Stratton. "
The man held out his hand expecting it to be accepted, perhaps even fawned over and was surprised when it was not; "Young lady."
"Sir," Sarah addressed him unimpressed.
"How would you like to be the voice of Trans-Atlantic?" he asked expecting her to be thrilled.
"I don't think I would," Sarah said shortly. "I've flown your airlines…they stink." She looked at Barry. "I'll be going now."
Barry stood there, mouth open and eyes popping.
David Talmac laughed after a moment, "I'll be! Wait, you can't just leave… tell me what's wrong with our airlines."
Sarah frowned, "I've no idea of where to start."
Talmac motioned her to be seated, and then he took a seat. "My father started Trans-Atlantic, back in the early fifties, I've just recently taken it over. You're a consumer; tell me the truth about your flight."
"The plane was dirty," Sarah said thinking back, "and it smelled bad. The stewardess' acted like they cared more about getting laid later than taking care of the passengers. The food was inedible, and the drinks were warm. And I don't mean coffee. The seats were crowded and uncomfortable." She took a breath, waiting for a reaction. "And the restrooms were filthy."
Talmac leaned forward, "I'd like you to help me change all that."
"I'm a voice over artist, not a magician." She rose to her feet. "Now if you gents will excuse me, I've a doctor's appointment."
"Are you ill?" the man sitting across from her asked.
"No, just pregnant," Sarah said patting the slight bump on her tummy.
Talmac smiled at her, "Your husband must be very happy."
Sarah chose not to answer; only to smile, she looked at Barry. "We're done?" Barry nodded. "See you next week." She said going to retrieve her belongings. Looking at her watch, she knew she had just enough time to catch a taxi to the doctor's clinic. As she reached the front door of the building she collided lightly with a man rushing out the door. He turned to see if she was alright.
"Sarah!" a voice said in delighted tones. "I'm sorry, I didn't see you."
"Fred," she looked at he while she pulled her hair out of her face. "Imagine running into you, here of all places."
He lifted his briefcase playfully; "Clients and you?"
She pointed up toward the upper floors where she'd been recording. "Voice over studio," she looked down at her watch, "And I'm late…I've a doctor's appointment across town. I really have to catch a cab."
"Nonsense," he said taking her arm and leading her down toward the parking area of the building. "I've got my car, and I'll drive you."
"It's out of your way," Sarah protested but allowed him to usher her toward his car. "Thank you Fred." She said as he opened the door for her. "I really do appreciate it."
As he began to drive through the city traffic toward the address Sarah had given him, Fred smiled toward her. "This gives me the perfect excuse to ask you to dinner, and you can't really refuse your taxi now can you?"
"Fred," she looked at his happy face.
"It's just dinner, Sarah." He calmed her fears. "I'm not expecting you run off and marry me," he teased.
"You know that I'm…" she pointed to her now pronounced bump. In the few weeks since Thanksgiving, it seemed to have doubled.
"I think pregnant women are gorgeous," He confessed. "You all seem to glow with an inner light!"
"Fred I love you." She laughed.
He winked at her as turning his attention to the road. "My Dad and Jeremy were talking about your situation, so I'm no stranger to your… circumstances." He spoke without sounding judgmental. "I really hope you find the daddy, but until then, why not keep company with a man whose only concern is just that, keeping company?"
"You're a very sweet man, did you know that Fred?" Sarah relaxed; "Alright, dinner, when and where?"
"Tonight, the Russian Tea Room," he said with bold confidence. "My parents will be joining us, and I think Jeremy and your mother are expected as well."
"That's a bit convenient," she teased him as he drove. "You all planned this out, didn't you?"
"All but you and I colliding," he nodded as he drove skillfully around the traffic; "Nearly there, my dear."
Sarah shook her head, resigning to the fact that her mother and Jeremy were once again sticking their noses in her business. "Alright, Fred, I'll be here for an hour or so and then I'll see you this evening."
"Nothing doing, Sarah." He said as he pulled in front of the clinic. "I'm escorting you into the clinic and then home… where I will pick you up after I've had a refreshing shower."
"Are you sure?" She looked at her watch, "don't you have clients this afternoon?"
He shook his head, "The meeting with my clients that I was leaving went much quicker than I'd planned. You see, your mother was supposed to corral you into dinner tonight. I just saved her the job." He leaped from the car and rushed to her door to open it for her. "Now, let's get you into the doctor's office."
Sarah stepped from the car, allowing him to take her arm, and a sound caught her attention. "Do you hear that?" Fred shrugged. "Damn I keep hearing glass shattering."
"Well, my mother says all a woman's senses are heightened during pregnancy." Fred moved up the steps with her and opened the clinic door.
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"Puck!" the Goblin King called out in a loud angry tone. "I need you, now!"
A gust of wind, a crackling sound and a cloud of dust later the impish being appeared. "You called my King?" He asked as he dusted off his garments.
"I need you to follow Sarah this evening, there's a mortal sniffing about her." Jareth said icily.
Puck raised a brow, "I see."
Jareth was grumbling as he paced. "I want you to follow her; I want to know her every movement! If she so much as begins to enjoy…"
Placing his fingers in his mouth, he blew and a shrill whistle halted the Goblin King's movements, he turned frowning at the imp. "If I may," Puck sighed. "I will remind you that you're the one who started this."
"The High Queen is the one who evoked the edict." Jareth said defensively.
"As you well knew she would," Puck pursed his lips; "Too warm in the kitchen?" He teased.
Jareth winced as he nodded. "I had not thought any mortal would even give her a second thought in her condition." He dropped down dejectedly into his throne. "This one fawns over her and invites her to dinner! With his parents no less." He began to sulk.
"Dinner, where?" Puck asked.
"The Russian Tea Room," Jareth sighed.
Puck tapped the king's knees. "As it so happens, I've a date with my little Magda and she loves the Tea Room. It's the perfect excuse to run into Sarah and keep an eye on her."
Jareth sniffed, "She's supposed to suffer, not me."
"Love is a doubled edged sword!" Puck argued boldly. "I would have thought you'd have learned that from the High King."
"We never discussed love." Jareth looked at the shattered shards of crystal in the corner. "We never discussed much of anything except what he expected from my reign as Goblin King." Flicking his wrist, the shards began to come together once again.
"An oversight that perhaps he needs to address," Puck murmured to himself. "My King," he addressed the sullen figure sitting forlorn in the great throne of the Goblin Kingdom. "I will keep my eye on Sarah, and report to you her… condition."
Jareth looked over at the Hobgoblin and tried to smile. "Thank you." He held his hand out as the healed orb floated toward him.
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Sarah dressed in one of the new maternity dresses her mother had bought for her. She looked in her mirror and smiled at her reflection. Anyone looking at her would think she was just a very pretty young woman expecting a child. They could not see into her soul, could not see the fears she was combating. The dress she'd chosen for tonight's dinner was the most fancy one they'd bought, and she'd planned on wearing it for Christmas at her parents house. But it was the only one that really was dressy enough for the Russian Tea Room. And it's ruby color just made her skin glow.
"Sarah," Linda called up the stairs, "Fred is here."
"I'll be right down." She called back. Giving herself one last glance she gathered her coat and purse and painted on a pleasant smile. 'Good thing, I'm an actress,' she thought to herself. 'No one will ever know how sad I feel.'
Fred was at the bottom of the stairs, and his face lit up when she began to come down the stairs. "Wow! You look gorgeous!" He complimented.
"Thank you." Sarah said gently. "You clean up pretty good yourself."
Fred did a little pirouette, and then took her coat, "I'm driving your mother and Jeremy over with us. Reservations are for eight, so we'd best move it along." He held the coat for her and then ushered her out the door with her mother and Jeremy following.
The Tea Room was a second home for boldface names and the intellectual elite; an exclusive enclave where actors, writers, politicians, and businessmen planned their next deals and feted their friends' latest Carnegie Hall performances. The whose who of the Broadway stage met here, as well as the elite of New York society and the wanta be's. Sarah had never been inside the exclusive restaurant but had always planned on going there for lunch sometime. She was only too happy to have been there with Fred and his parents as well as her mother and Jeremy.
Fred checked her coat, and motioned her to follow the waiter who was leading them to the Greyly's table. Fred Sr. was there with Doris, both smiling at the girl as she approached the table. Doris moved toward her, kissing both her cheeks and telling her how wonderful she looked. Jeremy greeted his lawyer and took his seat beside Linda who was gossiping with Doris the moment she took her seat.
Fred Jr. took a seat beside Sarah, and placed an arm over the back of her seat. A waiter came by to take their drinks order and Fred ordered a sparkling fruit drink for the expectant mother. He smiled at her gently, and winked. Sarah blushed slightly. As the drinks arrived another couple were being escorted to their seats, the man looked at the group and called out.
"Sarah!"
She looked up to see Kevin and his new bride standing there. "Kevin!" she reached out a hand in greeting. "How lovely to see you both," she reached for his wife's hand. "Kevin Turner, this is Fred Greyly Jr. and his parents Mr. and Mrs. Greyly Sr." She motioned to the pair standing, "Kevin played Bottom to my Tatiana."
"She carried me!" He boasted, "I was a slug and she was the whole show."
Fred Jr. laughed, "I saw the opening night, I thought you did rather well."
"That was Jay." Both Kevin and Sarah said in unison.
Fred heard something in Sarah's tone, and placed a hand on hers. "It's alright," he whispered.
Kevin looked at the waiter who was waiting. "Our table awaits us… nice to see you all."
"Oh come, there's plenty of room here!" Fred Sr. said and pointed to the waiter. "They'll be joining our party."
Kevin looked at his wife who smiled and nodded in agreement and took a seat beside Linda who complemented her on her lovely wedding ring.
A moment later they were greeted by Peter Hobson and Magda. "Well this looks familiar." He said gaily.
Fred Sr. looked at the pair. "Join us!" He said boldly. "A few more and we'll have the whole cast!" he boasted to his wife who was laughing at him.
"We actually invested in the show, you know." Doris explained to Sarah. "One of the best investments we ever made."
Peter ordered drinks for himself and Magda and when they were served he stood up and toasted the Host and Hostess, "To the backers, and the patrons of the arts, Mr. and Mrs. Greyly." They took little notice of the flash of bulbs from cameras, taking pictures around the room. For the Russian Tea Room was the place to see and been seen, and the actors in the party were use to the press. Even Sarah took little notice of the pictures being taken.
Magda was dressed a bit less Goth then the last time Sarah had seen her, but she still stood out. She hooked her arm into Sarah's as the toast was made. "You look fabulous, but you'd better not let Dido catch you dressed like this," she warned.
"Oh like Dido is going to care what a pregnant girl wears," Sarah teased back.
"Dido cares what her image is!" A voice declared from behind Sarah, who looked back quickly and saw the face of the costumer. "Nice," she fingered the ruby material, but not good enough… come to the studio on Monday, I've a present for you." The older woman looked at the assembled group, "My holiday greetings to you all."
Fred Sr. had risen to his feet, "Dido, come join us."
She shook her head, "I've had my dinner and I must be off." She tapped Sarah's shoulder. "Monday, after your morning class," she reminded the girl and then swept out of the room.
"Now that's style," Fred Sr. said taking his seat. "There's only one Dido."
Fred Jr. leaned toward Sarah. "What did she mean not good enough?"
"She created the Tatiana costume, and now she thinks she owns me." Sarah shrugged.
Seated on her other side Magda laughed, "She does own you… and everybody else she's ever dressed."
Hours later Fred drove the girl and her mother back to their brownstone, Jeremy also went along as his car was parked in Linda's little garage. Fred stood on the stairs saying goodnight to Sarah, her mother having gone in already. "I had a wonderful time," she said holding his hands. "Thank you."
"Maybe again sometime soon?" He asked not willing to release her hands.
"Fred," she hesitated, not sure of how to address his request. "I'm not sure that's a good idea." He looked troubled by her words. "You're a really nice guy," she gushed out quickly. "The kind a girl dreams of… but…." She looked away toward the bare trees that lined the street. "I'm sort of spoken for." She looked down at the bump.
"No pressure," he said softly; "Just keeping company."
"It's not fair, not to you." She whispered.
"Let me worry about that." He said giving her hands a squeeze. "Have you seen the Nutcracker this season? I've got tickets for next Friday, how about you let me treat you?"
Sarah gave him a sad smile. "Alright," the moment she said the word she heard the sound again. "Did you hear that?" she looked about expecting to see a window broken.
"I didn't hear a thing except you accepting my invitation, and I'm holding you to it!" He released her hands. "Go in, before you and that bundle freeze." He turned and waved as he moved down the stairs.
Sarah looked about, she was sure she'd heard shattered glass.
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Jareth fell back into his throne with an anguished cry. Nicole looked at the shards, then at the man moaning loudly. "You were saying something about this punishment being harder on Sarah?" She teased. The Goblin King ignored her and continued his tantrum. Nicole murmured to herself, "Nice work mother."
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Lady Allison looked at the photographers who were rushing about the dark rooms and discussing which papers to put what pictures in. Stealthy she whispered in the ear of one and he rushed off with the negatives in hand. She smiled knowing rumors were about to fly. Rumors she counted on unsettling a certain King.
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Jeremy was seated at Linda's kitchen table having breakfast when she brought in the papers from the stoop. He took Variety, and opened it up to find pictures of the dinner, and more than a few questions about Sarah. He looked at Linda, cleared his throat and handed her the page.
Linda frowned. "Who writes this crap?"
"Better warn our girl," Jeremy said gently.
"As if she does not have enough on her plate," Linda groused as she moved toward the hall and the stairs to Sarah's apartment. "Sarah! Are you up?"
"I'm in the kitchen," the girl called back pouring her tea. "What's up?" Linda handed her the paper and watched as the girl read. "Oh great, speculations as to who the lucky man is." She looked over at Linda, "I'd love to know who writes this crap."
"Me too," her mother agreed hotly.
Sarah looked at the picture before handing it back to her mother. "I've got more important things to be concerned over." She announced. "But I'd better call Fred and give him a heads up." The phone in her kitchen rang as she said the words. Picking the phone up she was surprised to find Fred on the other end. "I was just going to call you… we made the papers."
"Really? Was it a good shot I hope?" He asked as if it were an everyday occurrence. "I was calling to say my Dad has an idea of a way to find your... significant other."
"Do tell," Sarah took a seat; "How's that?"
"We've got some connections overseas," he boasted. "Would you like us to give it a try?"
"Please," Sarah said lightly. "I'd really like Jay to know about the baby before it's born." She sighed. "I'm looking forward to the Ballet on Friday, thank you for asking me."
Somewhere there was a loud sound, Linda looked up and rushed to the door. "Jeremy are you alright?"
A blond head popped out the door of the apartment down stairs, "What?"
"Didn't you hear that crashing sound? Like glass breaking?" Linda shouted down to him, he shook his head and she turned to Sarah. "You heard it though, didn't you?"
"I've been hearing breaking glass off and on for weeks now!" Sarah informed her mother. "Fred, I've got to go, we are going to find the source of this breaking glass sound."
"Friday then, see you." He said hanging up his end.
Sarah looked at her mother, "I can't image what it is."
The search for the sound proved fruitless.
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Nicole looked at her 'brother', "I think someone needs a time out." She said quietly.
Jareth glared at her, flicking his wrist to retrieve the shattered orb. Goblins hid behind what ever they could find including each other. Every single one of the Goblins waited until the King had exited the throne room before they heaved a collective sigh of relief. Some slumped over and some ran to the entry way to keep watch. A sound of shattering glass from the royal apartments above caused one and all to scatter. Nicole covered her lips with finger tips to keep the sound from escaping.
