Chapter 2

Mr. Mars was among the earliest of those who waited on Mr. Kane. Keith Mars was filling his retirement by operating a modest private investigation business. While he mainly dealt with philandering spouses and bail jumpers, he had found in the last few years a growing niche in corporate security, employee background checks, and protection of trade secrets. As such he had joined the local chamber of commerce and was on the unofficial Welcome to Neptune Wagon. Therefore, he had always intended to visit Mr. Kane, though to the last always assuring his wife that he should not go; and till the evening after the visit was paid, she had no knowledge of it. It was then disclosed in the following manner. Observing his second daughter working on a paper for her summer school class in intellectual property law, he suddenly addressed her with,

"I hope Mr. Kane will like it, Ronnie. Perhaps you can use it to get an internship in the legal department at his father's company, Kane Software."

"We are not in a way to know what Mr. Kane likes," said her mother resentfully, "since we are not to visit." She sipped her gin and tonic while remembering the bitter sweet time when she knew a Mr. Kane, and idly wondered what Jake was doing now.

"But you forget, mama," said Veronica, "that we shall meet him at parties or around town, and that Mrs. Bishop has promised to introduce him."

"I do not believe Mrs. Bishop will do any such thing. She has two daughters of her own. She is a selfish, hypocritical woman, and I have no opinion of her." Ronnie hid her smile in her book at this, as it was one of the few opinions of her mother's that she readily agreed in. She had gone to high school with Carrie Bishop and had never known a bigger gossip, although she had shown a surprising loyalty to her friend Miss Knight.

"No more have I," said Mr. Mars; "and I am glad to find that you do not depend on her serving you."

Mrs. Mars deigned not to make any reply; but unable to contain herself, began scolding one of her daughters.

"Don't keep coughing so, Lizzie, for heaven's sake! Have a little compassion on my nerves. You tear them to pieces."

"Lizzie has no discretion in her coughs," said her father; "she times them ill."

"I do not cough for my own amusement," replied Lizzie fretfully. In fact, she had just come inside after sneaking a cigarette behind the garage and had misjudged the amount of perfume she had spritzed to cover the smell. She felt like she was gagging on a mixture of jasmine and camels; she discreetly opened the French door to the patio for some fresh air.

"When is your next party, Ronnie?"

"Carmen is hosting a Labor day party in two weeks. You know how the '09ers love an end of summer bash."

"Aye, so it is," cried her mother, "and Mrs. Bishop does not come back till the day before; so it will be impossible for her to introduce him, for she will not know him herself."

"Then, my dear, you may have the advantage of your friend, and introduce Mr. Kane to her."

"Impossible, Mr. Mars, impossible, when I am not acquainted with him myself; how can you be so teasing?" She took a larger sip from her gin, really she wasn't sure why she bothered in this family.

"I honor your discretion, two weeks acquaintance is certainly very little. One cannot know what a man really is by the end of a fortnight, perhaps I should run a background check. But if we do not venture, somebody else will; and after all, Mrs. Bishop and her daughters must stand their chance; and therefore, as she will think it an act of kindness, if you decline the office, I will take it on myself."

The girls stared at their father. Mrs. Mars merely took another drink and muttered "nonsense" under her breath.

"What can be the meaning of that complaint?" cried he. "Do you consider the forms of introduction, and the stress that is laid on them, as nonsense? I cannot quite agree with you there. While they are oft abandoned in this day and age, you do know the 90909 expects their social niceties. What say you, Faith? For you are a young lady of deep reflection I know, and read great books, and make extracts."

Faith wished to say something very sensible, but knew not how. She was the quietest of the five Mars daughters and liked to consider herself the most serious, proper and devout, but was often at a loss when placed on the spot for an original thought.

"While Faith is adjusting her ideas," he continued, "let us return to Mr. Kane."

"I am sick of Mr. Kane," cried his wife, once again letting her mind drift to another Mr. Kane that she use to know.

"I am sorry to hear that; but why did not you tell me so before? If I had known as much this morning, I certainly would not have called on him. It is very unlucky; but as I have actually paid the visit, we cannot escape the acquaintance now."

The astonishment of the ladies was just what he wished; that of Mrs. Mars perhaps surpassing the rest; though when the first tumult of joy was over, she began to declare that it was what she had expected all the while.

"How good it was in you, my dear Mr. Mars! But I knew I should persuade you at last. I was sure you loved our girls too well to neglect such an acquaintance. You must tell us all about him."

"Now, Lizzie, you may cough as much as you chose," said Mr. Mars; and, as he spoke, he left the room, fatigued with his wife's alcoholic mania, and silently pondering the high cost of divorce in California.

When the door was shut, Mrs. Kane swirled her glass and mused. "At our time of life, it is not so pleasant I can tell you, to be making new acquaintance every day; but for your sakes, we would do anything. Madison, my love, though you are the youngest, I dare say Mr. Kane will dance with you at Carmen's party."

"Oh!" said Madison stoutly, "I am not afraid; for though I am the youngest, I'm the hottest." With that she flounced out of the room, texting her best friend Shelly to arrange for a selfie swap to compare outfits for tomorrow.