The vixen grinned at Judy, her eyes gleaming with glee as she held up the gold high heels. For a moment, she looked like Nick when he'd said something particularly needling.

"I can't. I'll break my ankles," Judy argued.

"We have plenty of time for you to practice. That's why I had you arrive early. There's a lot for you to learn, darling. You must be fabulous in every way, like me."

Judy wanted to fight, but Nick had been right. With a diva like Trixie, her disagreement would mean nothing. She was already in a dress, wearing makeup, and had on exquisite jewelry. She was a living doll for this vixen, and she knew with a sinking feeling in her gut that just like with the dress, makeup, and jewelry, Trixie would get what she wanted. She had already lost her bet with Nick anyway. So why waste energy fighting over shoes?

"Okay," Judy said in a small, tired voice.

Trixie stood up and sashayed over. "Put these on," she commanded.

Judy sat down in the makeup chair and put on the heels. They were a bit strange. She never really wore shoes, covering the sensitive pads on the bottom of her feet with a material made for that purpose. Her toes felt constricted, and she wiggled them experimentally.

"Are they too tight?" Trixie asked.

Judy considered lying to get out of the situation, but she decided against it.

"I'm not sure. I don't wear close-toed shoes."

"Hm. Stand up in them."

Judy did so, her arms automatically going out to steady herself as she teetered. Trixie knelt down and observed the shoes.

"Take a step," she said softly.

Judy did so, wobbling horribly. She decided that shoes were not her favorite thing.

"No, darling!" Trixie laughed. "Put your heel down first then roll your foot forward. Take a natural step. Try again."

Judy did so, and she was surprised that she stayed so steady. Trixie nodded.

"Does it cut into your skin?"

"I don't think so."

"Then I believe you can still wear them. But we don't want you in them for too long or they'll start hurting. So let's practice walking first then we'll take a break and practice your camera poses."

"Poses?" Judy asked. She placed her face in her hands and groaned in dismay. "I don't want my picture taken."

"Nonsense, darling! The camera will love you! With just a few pointers from me, you'll be camera-ready."

Judy had no fight in her, so she focused on walking in the heels. Trixie gave her pointers as she began to walk.

"No, darling! Small steps, not large ones," the vixen encouraged. "And don't rush! Let people have the time to admire your beauty!"

Judy's walk smoothed out a bit, and she made a pass around the room.

"See yourself walking in a straight line. Don't look at your feet. Look at where you're going and walk straight there," Trixie said when she glanced nervously down at her feet and stumbled.

Again, Judy adjusted and found herself quickly getting used to walking. Her stride was more natural, and she grew more confident as she walked back across the room.

"Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful! Keep practicing while I order us lunch." Trixie pulled out a cell phone and dialed. "Do you like Thai food?"

"Never had it," Judy said.

"I'll order you something," Trixie said.

After placing their order, Trixie watched Judy confidently stride across the room again. Then she nodded, pleased.

"Excellent. Now to teach you how to pose for the camera."

Judy paused then took a deep breath. She had nothing left to lose. And if Nick was going to get a stupid picture of her in a dress with heels and makeup and jewelry, it might as well look good.

"Sure. What should I do?"

Trixie grinned at her. "That's the kind of enthusiasm I like to hear! Now smile for the camera."

Judy awkwardly tried to pose, and Trixie snapped a couple of photos on her phone. She came over and showed Judy. The rabbit was not thrilled by the pictures. She blushed and looked away.

"Don't worry darling. I have some tips. First, lift your chin."

Judy obeyed and Trixie snapped another picture then showed it to Judy. She did look a bit better.

"See? Now you don't have the double chin from wrinkled fur."

"It still doesn't look right," Judy said.

"One thing at a time, darling! Now, second tip. Don't face the camera straight on. Angle your body slightly. It makes it look much different."

Judy turned slightly. "Better?"

Trixie snapped another picture then showed it to her. Judy perked. It looked much better.

"See the difference?"

"Yeah. But we're not quite… there. Right?"

Trixie studied the picture. "Put your weight on your back leg."

Judy shifted. "Like this?"

Trixie squinted at her. "Not quite. You don't want to lean back. That doesn't look natural. Maybe lean forward from the waist… Good! Hold that!"

Trixie stepped back and snapped another photo. She showed Judy, who was thrilled by how much better she looked.

"Not quite," Judy said. "Something's still off."

She was excited by this lesson. She'd always had trouble posing for pictures, and the press photos from her last case still made her cringe. This lesson was turning out to be her favorite so far. And now that she saw herself looking better and better with only a few minor adjustments in stance and bearing, she wanted to see how this turned out. The picture for Nick would be good, she decided. He had been completely right about Trixie and what she would make Judy do. Then again, they were both foxes. Sly, clever foxes. She'd had no chance of winning that bet. And honestly, one picture wasn't so bad. It was probably him being somewhat merciful since he had so confidently known the outcome. He really was sweet, though he'd never admit to it.

Trixie snapped. "Stand tall. You're curled in a little. Angle your arm a little, no, out from your torso… yes!"

Trixie snapped another photo then proudly held out the phone. Judy took it, her nose twitching with delight as she stared at herself. It was the best picture she had ever taken.

"This is me?" she asked. Her purple eyes gleamed. "I look so…"

"Fabulous!" Trixie exclaimed. "You look fabulous! Now you just need a bit of an attitude!"

"Attitude?"

"You'll accompany me onstage when I inevitably win, and you've got to be as sassy as me! It's a whole look, a brand if you will."

"O…kay. And how do I do that?"

"You've got the dress, the jewelry, and the makeup, so all you need is a little sashay, a confident walk, good manners that leave people feeling good, and a kiss and a wink to stun the audience!"

Judy sighed then straightened. She reminded herself that there was no point fighting Trixie, she'd already lost, so she might as well enjoy herself. So she smiled and decided to be a good sport.

"Go on."

"How are your heels?" Trixie asked

"A bit uncomfortable," Judy admitted.

"Take them off for now. We'll work on your sashay and walk without them. After lunch, we'll get you back in heels."

Judy was grateful as she sat down and slipped the heels off. It felt good for her feet to be back in the air. She flexed her toes and sighed. Trixie studied her.

"I also have a pair of flats. After we come off the stage, you can put them on for the rest of the night."

"Really?" Judy asked. "That sounds… nice."

Trixie smiled. "I'm not cruel, darling. Even if I do play evil characters on television sometimes. If you don't wear heels regularly, they can be too much, and I've worked with lots of actresses who can't be in heels between scenes."

"I don't think you're cruel," Judy argued.

Trixie studied her then gave a soft smile, unlike the wide, gleaming smile she used in the press. Once again, Judy saw something gentle and quiet beneath the glamorous exterior. Then the vixen changed the subject and the mask came back down.

"Now darling! Sashay for me!"

Judy turned and moved gracefully, swaying her hips as she walked. Trixie grinned, flashing her perfect teeth again.

"You've got that down already!"

"I enjoyed drama in school. I played several characters who needed to sashay," Judy replied, turning to face Trixie. She placed her hand on her hip and posed.

Trixie laughed and snapped a picture. "Purse your lips a bit! More sultry eyes! Toss your head back! Wink! Kiss!"

As Trixie made each command, Judy obeyed, and she felt like she was back in high school, pretending to be a character. Thinking in that way helped her to relax and become more natural as she posed. She loved playing graceful, feminine characters in the school plays. She had always been a tomboy, as Trixie called it, but her love of acting had afforded her opportunity to put on different hats.

"Blow a kiss!" Trixie ordered.

Now in character, Judy placed a hand on her hip, turned her body mostly away from the camera, looked over her shoulder, and blew a kiss with a teasing wink. Trixie snapped the photo and stared at it with great delight.

"You are fabulous!" Trixie squealed.

Judy looked at the picture and laughed. "That's not me. It's an act. I'm playing the part of a diva! And darling, I'm incredible!"

Judy laughed, but Trixie's grin faded as she stared at the photo. She suddenly looked tired, smaller, and Judy straightened up.

"Trixie? Did I say something wrong?"

"Just make sure it doesn't become permanent, okay Judy?"

"What do you mean?" Judy asked.

"It's just no way to live."

Judy's ears slicked back as Trixie's expression pinched. What was she saying? That her personality was an act? But just as she opened her mouth to ask, there was a knock. And Trixie straightened her shoulders, threw her head back, and strode over to the door.

"Who is it?"

"Trevor, Ms. Foxx. Your food is here," a deep voice said.

Trixie opened the door and took the bag from a huge rhino in a crisp, dark suit. "Thank you, darling. And your tie is a smidge crooked."

At once, the rhino adjusted his tie. "Thank you, ma'am."

"Thank you," Trixie said, flashing a winning smile. Then she shut the door and walked over to arrange the food on a table.

"Come on. A bite to eat and then we'll get back to practice. Next you'll pose with the heels. Then we'll touch up the makeup and I'll introduce you around to the staff. And after the Oscars, I'll introduce you to Gazelle!"

Judy approached her and didn't say anything until Trixie looked at her. Then she smiled. "You genuinely care under the act, aren't you?"

Trixie looked embarrassed and uneasy. "Well, I…"

"Don't worry," Judy cut in. "It'll be our little secret."

The vixen smiled and sat down. "Come and eat, Judy."

"Gladly."

Judy sat down and they ate and talked about Trixie's role in the movie and life on a movie set. Trixie was animated, and in the back of her mind, Judy pondered this new information about the famous actress. She was interested in who she really was behind the glitz and glamor and wondered if they could possibly become friends. She doubted Trixie would care about her past that night. Why would a big, important movie star want to be friends with a police officer? But still, something in the way Trixie relaxed as she continued talking made Judy think that she really was somebody genuinely sweet and friendly behind the masquerade of Trixie Foxx. And maybe, just maybe, that somebody needed a regular, non-famous friend.