Written by: by Jenn M
(JMorrow @ mailserv. gcpl.lib.oh.us)
Maxwell sits in his study going over the script for the new play that he's just purchased. He knows that if he gets enough financing, he can have the hit of the season. CC comes rushing in. She was in such a hurry that she drags Niles who had been trying to take her coat with her.
"Maxwell! I have the most wonderful news!" she cries, flinging her arm out of the coat and Niles to the loveseat.
Looking up to see his old friend tossed practically to the floor, Maxwell says, "I hope so. Otherwise I think your husband will want me testify on his behalf at the spousal abuse hearing."
CC turns to see Niles getting up in a daze. "Oh, Niles, I'm so sorry. I didn't even realize that you had follow me."
"Follow-- sucked into a vacuum-- you be the judge," her beleaguered husband replies.
"I'm sorry, but I just had to get in here to tell Maxwell what's happened," CC turns back to Maxwell, "You'll never guess who wants to back this production."
"Andrew Lloyd Webber?" Niles jokes.
"Could someone tell me why I fell in love with you again?" CC asks looking to the ceiling.
"Alright you two, that's enough," Maxwell leans back in his chair. "CC, who is it this time? Another trash man? Or better yet, a used car salesman?"
"Hardly, and just remember I wasn't the one who walked away from the King of Trash's millions," CC replied. "But maybe you're not interested in having one of the wealthiest women on the East Coast throw money at you. Okay. Let's just see how many of your old buddies want to back a play by an unknown writer with only our belief in his genius to sell it."
"What wealthy woman?" Max asks cautiously.
"Kimberly Donovan," CC says triumphantly.
Niles and Maxwell looked at one another, then in unison they turn to CC and say, "Who?'
She can't believe it. How can these two be so stupid? "Kimberly Donovan. The founder and CEO of Lovely Living, Inc.?"
The men are still clueless.
"Her company is the most successful makeup, beauty, fitness, and lifestyle company ever. Her wealth from it alone, not including her portfolio and the other companies on whose boards she sits, is in the high eight figures."
Niles, starting to remember hearing of her, asks, "Is she the one who has all the different cooking, decorating, and fitness programs?"
"Yes!"
Niles turns to Max, "Oh sir, she's amazing. Everything she touches turns to gold. When it comes to making money, the woman is a genius."
"Who's a genius?" Standing in the doorway, Fran walks into the room. She has just returned from a charity luncheon. She walks around the desk to give Max a quick kiss, and then sits on the arm of his chair.
"Kimberly Donovan, apparently," Max replies. "CC says that she's interested in backing our play."
"Kimberly Donovan? Oh, wow! She's amazing. I just love her cucumber apricot facial mask. It makes my face feel terrific." Fran puts a hand to her face and smiles.
"And have you tried her eucalyptus astringent?" CC asks. "It's marvelous. I use it about once a week."
"Really? I'll have to--"
"Ladies, ladies!" Maxwell interrupts. "We are getting off the topic. Why would Ms. Donovan want to invest in our play?"
"Well, according to what she said at the lunch today, she's looking for something to invest in that gives back to young talent. I told her about this play and how we believed that the writer was a new young talent waiting to burst out, and she said she was intrigued." CC finished with a flurry.
"How much intrigue are we talking here?" Fran asks. "Donating the makeup? Or I'll cover all the utilities and the rent?"
"Both," CC turns from Fran to Maxwell. "She wants to meet with us and look at the play. If she likes what she sees, we won't have any problem doing this the way we've envisioned it."
Maxwell, slightly stunned by this good fortune, says, "CC, I am impressed. Of course, we'll meet with her. Why don't you talk to her and see if she would like to come over for drinks or dinner tomorrow night?"
Having received their assignments, CC and Niles leave. Fran turns to Maxwell and says, "Do you want me to get Martha to look after the kids tomorrow night? From what I've read in the papers, she's not the most maternal woman in the world."
"Since everyone else knows more about her than I do, I'll bow to your superior knowledge," Maxwell gets up and hugs his wife. "And don't worry. I'm sure that you'll be terrific with Ms. Donovan."
The Next Evening
Maxwell is straightening his tie in the living room mirror while yelling upstairs to his wife. "Fran, she'll be here any minute!"
Fran rushes down the stairs, putting on her earrings, and her dress unzipped. "I'm coming, I'm coming."
At the bottom of the steps she turns her back to Maxwell. "Could you zip me? I can't get it up."
Max comes over and takes care of the problem. "I did some checking and you and CC are right. If this Kimberly Donovan decides to invest with us, we will be in great shape."
"Well, Sweetie, you just be your charming British self and I'm sure it will go over well. I'll try to just follow your lead."
Giving her a quick kiss, "We're incredible on the dance floor when you do, so we should do very well tonight."
"It's not just the dance floor that we move well together, Baby," she whispers to him as Niles and CC enter the hall. Maxwell blushes and looks faintly pleased and proud all at the same time.
The doorbell rings and Niles steps forward to answer the door. Then stepping through the door is a petite woman with titian hair and big blue eyes. "Good evening, I'm Kimberly Donovan. I have an appointment with Maxwell Sheffield."
Coming forward, Maxwell welcomes his guest. "Ms. Donovan, I'm so pleased to finally meet you."
She takes Maxwell's outstretched hand in hers and looks him over. She likes what she sees. "And I'm pleased to see that the marvelous newspaper photos aren't as good as the real thing. Charming."
Maxwell, slightly flustered, laughs and continues to hold her hand while she moves closer. There is the repeated sound of throat clearing behind him and then a smack on his arm. Finally, he remembers his wife. "Oh, yes. Um, I would like you to meet my wife, Fran. Fran, Ms. Donovan."
Maxwell steps back to allow the women to shake hands. Kimberly's eyes move over Fran quickly. Fran gets the distinct feeling that she's failed to win approval. "Oh, yes. The former, ah, nanny, wasn't it, Dear?"
Fran doesn't want to rush to instant dislike so she lets the remark roll off. "As a matter of fact Maxwell did hire me originally as nanny to our three eldest children."
"Fascinating," Kimberly replies, as she seems to dismiss Fran and turn to CC. "How do you get any work done around such a handsome man all the time."
CC, a little stunned by what she's seeing, laughs awkwardly, "Oh, I guess you get used to it."
Niles steps in, "Yes, and if it gets to be too much we simply put a bag over his head."
CC introduces Niles. "Ms. Donovan –"
"Please, it's Kimberly."
"Kimberly," CC smiles, "I would like to introduce you to my husband, Niles. "
"Oh, how cute," she chuckles, "He married the maid and you married the butler."
Fran is now quietly furious. She had look forward to meeting a woman who she thought would be elegant and graceful. Instead, the woman is behaving like a cat. She tries to move the evening forward. "Why don't we all go into the living room for cocktails?"
Niles takes the guest's coat and she immediately latches on to Maxwell's arm. "Now Maxwell, I want to hear all about your play, but I also want to hear all about you. How does such a charming Englishman end up in New York and not come across my radar for so long?"
As the group moves through the cocktail hour it becomes clear that there might as well be no one there but Maxwell. At first, he seems startled and puzzled by her behavior. But as time moves along Kimberly is wearing him down. She's laughing at all his jokes, flattering him, and caressing his arm. Niles leaves to make sure that dinner will be ready. They have hired a young man to serve dinner so that Niles won't have to do it, but Niles still wants to make sure that everything is moving along. This night can't end soon enough, he thinks.
Fran sits quietly staring at her husband who seems to have forgotten her existence.
Meanwhile, CC sips a martini in stunned silence. She had no idea the woman was only interested in making a play for Maxwell. And that's what's she's doing, CC thinks. She doesn't give a damn about the play. She hasn't asked one question about it.
Niles comes back in and tells them that dinner is served. As they walk to the table, Kimberly notices the five place settings. Maxwell's is obviously at the head of the table and there are two settings on each side of him. Taking in the table quickly she says, "Oh dear. Nanny, it's so unfortunate that you couldn't get an even number of guests for the table. Now who will be your dinner partner?"
Fran, who was the last to enter the room, sees Maxwell holding out a chair for Kimberly. It's the seat to the right of his. It's Fran's chair. Now barely holding on to her temper Fran responds, "It's Fran. And don't worry about me, I'll find something."
As Fran sits down on Kimberly's other side, Kimberly says under her breath so Maxwell doesn't hear, "Yes, you working girls can be so clever about that sort of thing."
Fran's eyes narrow as she watches the woman stroke her husband's hand and flirt with him.
The dinner lasts an eternity for Fran. Somehow That Woman has managed to get Max to agree to meet with her alone to discuss the play tomorrow evening, and see home tonight. As he leaves, he doesn't even bother to say goodnight to her or CC or Niles. As the door closes, she stares at it in fury. CC and Niles turn and walk into the living room. Fran starts upstairs, "If anyone in the house cares, I'll be going to bed now. GOODNIGHT!"
This is followed shortly by a door slam. CC and Niles cringe and look at each other. "What happened here tonight?" CC asks in amazement. "I was here. I saw it. But I don't believe it. That woman was nothing like she was when I first met her."
Niles has been rather quiet all evening. He's been more of an observer than a participant. Now he gives his wife an assessing look, "Yes, I was wondering about that. I mean, it might seem to some as if you brought in someone to upset Fran and you did a good job of it."
"What?"
"Well, you couldn't have planned that any better if you tried."
"Wait a minute," CC is starting to get upset at his tone, "You can't believe that I wanted this evening to go this way. Yes, in the past I tried to break up Max and Fran, but that's where it stays in the past. I would never want to rip up their family."
Niles looks into her eyes and likes what he sees. She's grown quite an incredible heart. "Yes, you're right. I'm sorry that I doubted you. But what do you mean about her being so different. How was she with you when you first met her?"
Mollified, CC says, "Well, she seemed very competent but a little quiet and retiring. We were introduced by members of the New York Business Women's Association. She seemed to know of Sheffield/Babcock Productions but she didn't act as if meeting Maxwell was going to be that exciting."
Niles thinks about this. "It looks like she knows how to behave around different people to get what she wants. And now she wants him."
"Oh God, Niles, I just thought of something," CC sounds stricken. "You don't think Fran would believe that I did that to her deliberately, do you?"
"I'm not sure," he replies. "You should probably talk to her tomorrow."
The Next Morning
Fran, Grace, and Martha are in the nursery with the twins. CC walks in carrying Danielle. "Good morning, everyone. Can Danielle come and play today? I have to run in and out all day and Niles has errands to do so I thought the kids could all stay together."
"If Martha doesn't mind it's fine with me," Fran says neutrally.
"Certainly, Mrs. Sheffield," Martha replies. Martha can't believe how easy this job is. Even with a third toddler it won't be difficult. Mrs. Sheffield or one of the others always wants to spend time with the children. She's more of an assistant than a nanny. It's good to be a nanny for a former nanny, Martha thinks.
CC looking at how tired and distracted Fran seems says quietly, "Fran can I talk to you privately?"
"Huh? Oh, okay," Fran turns to Grace, "Don't you have school today, young lady?"
Grace shakes her head. "No there's some sort of meeting among the teachers today. I think I'll stay up here for a while and play with these three."
"You're a good girl," Fran tells her.
CC and Fran go down the back stairs to the kitchen. Fran makes them some coffee. CC watches as Fran comes to sit with her at the table. "Fran, I wanted to talk to you about last night."
Fran stiffens. "Look, I'd rather not discuss it."
"I understand. But I just wanted you to know that I had no idea that Kimberly Donovan was going to behave like that."
Fran tries to smile. "Well, it's not your fault that my husband behaved like a schmuck. He could have seen through her if he wanted too."
"I don't know, Fran. She was really pouring it on thick," CC sighs. "As soon as I see Maxwell I'll tell him that I want to look for more investors. That way we won't need her money."
"CC, it's okay. Yeah, he was a jerk last night and yeah, he didn't come back for three hours after he should have. But he'll figure it out."
"He didn't get back here until three hours LATER?" CC and Niles who has just walked into the kitchen say in unison.
"According to him, they just got to talking and the time just slipped away," Fran says in her best Maxwell voice.
Realizing that they are still not going to let go it she says confidently, "C'mon guys. Quit worrying. I trust my husband. If he says that that is all there was, then that's all there was. Now, I told Val that I would go shopping with her today and I don't want to be late. I'll be back this afternoon."
Fran leaves the kitchen and walks to Maxwell's study. She DOES believe him and she has faith in him. But she can't help worrying a little, even though she won't say it to anyone. Kimberly is a beautiful woman. She's successful, intelligent, powerful, and obviously wants Max. Fran suddenly feels all her old insecurities about her relationship with him come back.
As Fran starts to walk into the study she hears Max talking on the phone. "It was wonderful talking with you last night… Yes, I was amazed too at how much we have in common… No, I haven't seen that production at the Met yet… Well, Fran's not a big fan and I hate to always drag her there… Well, I don't know…" Max hesitates, "I guess there's no harm in that. Alright, I'll pick you up tonight… Until then."
Max hangs up the phone and stares at it. He's not sure what just happened but he feels uneasy. He looks up and sees Fran standing inside the door. "Oh, hello, Darling. Was there something you needed?"
Fran's quiet for a second. "No, I guess not. I'm going out for a while but I'll be back this afternoon. Is there anything me need me to pick up for you before your…appointment tonight?"
Now Max is starting to realize what felt wrong about going to the Met. "Uh, you heard that call?"
"Just that you're meeting your backer at the Met tonight. That is what you're doing, isn't it?" Fran says neutrally.
"Yes, of course. Kimberly had two tickets and she needed an escort. And since we still need to finalize her investment, she thought to take care of it tonight. You don't mind, do you? I know opera's not your favorite entertainment."
Fran remembers that the subject of opera had come up last night and that Kimberly had heard that Fran was not interested in it. Now starting to feel hurt, she responds, "No, of course I don't mind. I know how much you enjoy it and going with someone else who enjoys it will be fun for you. I just hope your DATE appreciates it."
Complete comprehension appears written all over Maxwell's face. "Fran, you don't think I'm, well, that I'm… Fran, there's NOTHING going on." He walks over to her and puts his arms around her.
Fran rests her hands on his chest to keep him distant. "Oh, I believe YOU. I just think you should question HER motivation."
Stepping back he laughs, "You're wrong. She's just interested in having a better understanding of what she's investing in. That's all."
Fran, not bothering to hide her disbelief, "You may think what you want and you may even believe it. But you'll be the only one."
Max, turning away, responds, "I don't know whether to be flattered by you or insulted."
"Don't be either," she says. "It's not you. It's how you interpret her actions. I'll see ya later."
That evening
Maxwell comes downstairs looking dashing in his tuxedo. Fran is playing with the children. If she wears them out, they'll sleep better. CC, Niles, and little Danielle have gone back to their apartment that was built on the mansion. Fran's glad that she doesn't have to say goodbye in front of them. They've been a little too supportive all day.
"Well, don't you look handsome!" Fran comments.
Max trying to act nonchalant, "Thank you. I shouldn't be late. I'm sure we can iron out the details over intermission."
"Oh, whatever," she says, mocking his tone. "Kids, say goodnight to Daddy. He has to go to, ah, work tonight."
Max glares at her briefly then bends down to hug his children. Fran walks him to the door. "Say hello to Kimberly for me. I'd say to give her my best, but I think she's trying to get that already."
"Will you stop it?" he exclaims. "I'm not a complete idiot. I can handle this."
"Just make sure that you have your story straight when the reporters want to know what the supposedly happily married Maxwell Sheffield is doing with Kimberly Donovan the gorgeous talented domestic diva. You could always have me develop the flu," she coughs delicately.
Max just turns to open the door without saying a word. Fran grabs his arm and pulls him back around. "Wait a minute. I want you to remember something."
Sighing, he stops and asks, "What?"
"This." Fran shoves him against the wall and kisses him hard. She runs her fingers through his hair and presses herself against him. He responds instantly. Suddenly, he's forgetting everything in the world except Fran and the way she feels when she's loving him.
She stops and steps away from him. With a pleased expression on her face she says to him, "I think you'll have to leave now. You don't want to be late. Just remember I'm waiting."
He finally pushes himself from the wall and walks out in a daze—never realizing that he meets Kimberly Donavan in a mussed tuxedo with a lipstick smudge on his face.
1:17 a.m.
Max carefully opens the bedroom door. There is a light on by the fireplace and Fran is asleep on the lounge. There is a piece of sewing in her lap and a cassette player next to her. The headset is still on her head. She must have been listening to a book while sewing again, he thinks. He walks over and looks at the cassette box—Payment In Blood by Elizabeth George. Max realizes that in recent months her reading has turned from romance to murder mysteries. I never know what she's going to do next, he thinks with a smile.
As he gently tries to remove the headset, Fran wakes up. "Oh, hello there. When did you get here?"
"Just a few minutes ago," he says as he removes his jacket.
Fran now fully awake and seeing the clock by the bed realizes just how late it is. "My, you must have had a good time. Did Kimberly have one, too?"
"I don't know. I left her after midway through the final act," he says as he walks into the bathroom to get ready for bed.
Fran's confused and waits for him to come back out. "What? What happened?'
He comes out in his robe and sits on the foot of the bed and rests his head on his hands. "Fran, you were right. Tonight was a huge mistake."
Fran comes over and sits down beside him but not touching him. "How was it a huge mistake and how was a right?"
Staring straight ahead he replies, "At least four gossip reporters saw Kimberly Donovan nibble on my ear."
"I see." For once Maxwell has managed to stun his wife into near silence. "May I ask how she came to be nibbling on your ear?"
Max thinks for a second. "We were standing in the lobby at intermission and she kept talking to me too softly. You know how sounds echo through there. When I leaned over and turned my head to hear her, she just did it."
"Were there any photographers there?"
He nods.
"What happened after that?"
He sighs, "She didn't understand how upset I was and finally I just left. I've been walking ever since trying to figure out what to say to you. Fran, please believe me. I was not doing anything. I love you. I have absolutely no interest in that woman except as a backer. And now, I don't even want that."
Fran's quiet and Maxwell is getting nervous. Does she believe him? He didn't tell her everything that Kimberly said. He was still in shock. He could still here her saying, "Maxwell, I'm doing you a favor. You don't want to be married to a woman like that. With someone like me, it's good in and out of bed."
Suddenly Fran starts laughing. He's worried that she's snapped. "Darling, calm down, please. Getting hysterical won't help."
Fran just laughs harder. Maxwell gets up and pours her a glass of water. "Sweetheart, please control yourself."
Fran finally manages to say, "I can't believe it. You screw up and have to come to me. Talk about role reversal. Does this mean I get to chase you all over the house screaming, 'MR. SHEFFIELD!!!'?"
Maxwell shakes his head looking dumbfounded. "You're amazing. I come home in the middle of the night. I tell you that tomorrow there are going to be stories in the paper about me and another woman, and you just laugh because I'm the one they'll be writing about and not you."
Laughter subsiding, she wipes her eyes. "Oh believe me. I am upset. I'm furious with her for trying to destroy my marriage and I'm mad at you for not listening to me in the first place. I told you to be careful."
Max begins to pace. "Oh please, I'm a married man with five children."
"Not to give you too swelled a head, but you're still handsome, successful, and rich. That didn't stop when we had the twins. Remember, that women were hitting on you when there were only three children."
Getting up she walks over and puts her arms around him. "Maxwell Sheffield, I happen to love you very much. I will always love you. And I believe you. If you say that nothing happened, nothing happened. Not because you're an old married man, but because you are a good, noble, and loyal man."
Between kisses he says, "I don't know how I could be so lucky as to have you in my life, but I won't question it. Now about that kiss you gave me earlier tonight…"
He starts to kiss her more passionately and then he starts to nibble at her neck. Fran turns and starts to nibble his ear and stops. "Is this what she did to you?"
Pulling her tight against him so that she can feel his body's response he says, "No, it's not the same. Only you bring that reaction."
He picks her up and carries her to bed.
The Next Morning
Fran, Maxwell, Niles, and CC are in Maxwell's study. Fran is sitting on the desk, Maxwell absently stroking one of her shins. CC is pacing in front of the desk as Niles leans against the door.
"Now let me see if I understand this, " CC says slowly. "You, Maxwell Sheffield, supposedly devoted family man and Broadway producer, agreed to a date with a gorgeous woman who is not your wife. You then went to a public place with reporters and photographers and were caught necking. And you expect to find away out of this?"
Maxwell gives her a stern look. "First of all, it wasn't a date. I went to the opera with her to secure her investment. Second of all, I was not necking, as you call it. I was talking to her and SHE bit MY ear."
Shoving the newspaper that is on the desk back at him, CC says, "Well, those technicalities seem to be missing from the morning paper."
"I am fully aware of the stories in the papers, CC," Maxwell says in a clipped tone. "What we have to do now is figure out a way to get my side of the story out there."
"No one is going to believe any kind of denial unless Kimberly Donovan agrees to it as well. And since she started it I doubt that that will happen," CC says.
Niles, who has been watching Fran for sometime now, says to her, "Fran, you're very quiet."
While taking Maxwell's hand in hers, she turns to Niles and says, "What can I say at this point? She conned CC, then Maxwell. She's very good."
Maxwell brings her hand to his lips, kisses it, and says to CC and Niles, "She has amazed me too in the last twenty-four hours."
Everyone is quiet for few minutes while each tries to figure out how to manage this crisis. Niles is the first to speak. "We may have to test just how amazing Fran can be."
"What do you mean?" CC asks.
"How Fran handles this is the answer. If she were to be publicly angry, or in any way upset, this is going to go on and on. If she laughs it off, and is seen with Maxwell looking happy, then the press will assume that whatever happened at the opera was an aberration."
Everyone turns and stares at Fran. "What do you think?" Maxwell asks her.
"If that's what's best, then I'll do it," she says. "But I think we'll need to go farther than just being seen smiling together in public."
Maxwell, trying to work out the direction of his wife's versatile mind, questions, "What or how much farther?"
Sighing, Fran slips of the desk, and sits in his lap. "Well, my straitlaced British husband, we are going to have to not only make the bite at the opera seem minor, it will have to be completely forgettable to what we do in public."
Maxwell, starting to look alarmed, says hesitantly, "I don't know about this. I'm trying to regain my reputation, not lose it completely."
CC, her mind catching on to Fran's thinking, tries to explain, "I know what Fran is getting at. You don't have to have sex in the lobby of a theater, just give the public a little of what they've been looking for." Seeing that Maxwell still doesn't quite get it she continues, "Look, for years people wondered about what went on behind the doors of this mansion between the Nanny and the Producer. Then you announce an engagement, get married, and have twins with very little fanfare. All you have to do is give them a glimpse--a lot of mere glimpses-- and the press will eat it up. Then, once this has died down, you just go back to the way things were. The press will get bored and move on. All will be forgotten, you're fifteen minutes of notoriety passed."
Fran turns to Maxwell and says, "Honey, I think it's worth a shot. At this point, it can't really hurt. The worst that could happen would be that they believe me duped, and you a womanizer. Show business is full of very successful womanizers."
Maxwell agrees saying in a teasing manner, "Well, I guess I'll just have to get used to kissing my wife more. Maybe I should start right now."
Fran and Maxwell start giving each light kisses and laughing. "I hate to interrupt a brilliant rehearsal but you may want to take this act on the road," CC says finally says. "The sooner we start damage control the better. Why don't you two go out for awhile?"
Fran and Maxwell agree and leave the study making plans for places to go that day.
Niles and CC turn to one another and sigh. Both sit down on the couch and Niles puts his arm around his wife saying, "I think it just might work. You are a wonderfully devious woman, my chicken."
Giving him a kiss, CC replies, "Thank you, dear. But I'm not finished yet. I think that a few appropriately leaked statements about Ms. Donovan are in order. Then, later I may just have to pay her a visit."
"CC, be careful," he warns.
"Oh don't worry. I've got it all planned," she says with an evil gleam in her eye.
For the next few weeks, Fran and Maxwell make quite a splash in the papers. Photographers are there when the limo door opens sooner than the Sheffields expected and Fran is still adjusting her blouse, smoothing her hair, and Maxwell's straightening his tie and wiping lipstick from his face. The gossip columns are full of stories about the "inseparable Sheffields". In short, Fran's plan is working.
In the mean time Kimberly Donovan has kept a rather low profile once Fran and Maxwell began fighting back. She's waiting for an announcement about the new play. She's sure that her money will still be needed. Her sources at the theater tell her that pre-production is beginning. It's time. She invites reporter Joy Morley to her home for an interview and tells her about her plans to finance the next Sheffield/Babcock Production.
"As you are probably aware Maxwell Sheffield and I have a personal relationship that has grown over the last few months," she explains to the print reporter. "So when Maxwell told me that he desired me I couldn't resist."
With raised eyebrows, Joy questions, "Uh, don't you mean he needed your money?'
"Oh, that too, I guess. Maxwell is a man of many needs," Kimberly answers.
Joy, uncomfortable about being Kimberly Donovan's tool, responds, "That must be why his wife is always nearby caring for them."
"Yes, the poor dear does try. But for someone of her background she's somewhat out of her league," Kimberly's voice oozes sweetness. "I will always be ready to help show her the way. One should make allowances for her unfortunate shortcomings. I know Maxwell tries."
"Wow! They're very good at it then. Because the other night at the symphony everyone in their party, including Mr. Sheffield, looked quite happy," Joy fires back. "But tell me. How do you think the children feel about these problems?"
"What children?" Kimberly looks confused.
"Maxwell and Fran Sheffield's children."
"Oh!" Kimberly says remembering Maxwell droning on and on about kids. She wishes that she could remember some of what he said, but the whole thing had just been too boring. "Well I'm sure they try, but most of them are still just children. And you see, that is another way that breeding will tell. I mean really. All those children? It's so uncalled for."
Joy, who realizes she knows more about the Sheffields than Ms. Donovan, gets up quickly to end the interview. "Thank you, Ms. Donovan. I think that I've got all I need."
After leaving the penthouse, Joy places a call to an old college friend. "Hi! It's me, Joy. Listen I just ended an interview with someone I think you'll be interested in. Want to payback that lunch you owe me?... Great. I'll meet you there about 1:30."
Later that day at the Sheffield home
"CC, are you sure this Joy Morley is on the level?" Fran asks anxiously.
Sighing, CC says, "Relax, Fran. If nothing else, Joy will want this to work out to spite Kimberly. Joy hates being used by society types."
"Well, she and I will have that in common. But are you really sure she just wants me and not Maxwell, too?"
"Fran, you don't want to let it look like Maxwell has to be here to watch over you. That would give the wrong impression."
Taking a deep breath, Fran agrees. "Ok. How do I look?"
CC, who has privately admired Fran's flair and style but will never admit it, merely says, "You'll do."
Joy and Fran hit it off well. Even though there was a distinct social difference in their upbringings they have much in common. They both love their families, the ones that raised them and the ones that they've found. Finally, Joy tells Fran about the things that Kimberly said that afternoon.
"It's sweet of her to want to help me so much," Fran says. "I had no idea she cared so much. And I'm sure that this will come as news to Maxwell."
"Well, she made it sound as if your husband may have said something about you to her," Joy explains.
Fran thinks for a minute then says, as if it's a sudden revelation, "Oh, I know why you're worried."
"You do?"
"Sure. But you're reading way too much into this."
"I am?"
"Does all of this have to do with that ridiculous photo at the opera a few weeks ago?"
"Well, there does seem to be a connection," Joy says slowly.
Fran chuckles, "Oh, Joy. If you want to ask about it you can. Kimberly, Max, and I have no problem."
Joy looking somewhat skeptical says, "Alright. What happened between your husband and Kimberly Donovan at the opera?"
"Maxwell left early to check on me. I had the flu and he wanted to see how I was feeling. We both felt terrible that he abandoned her that night."
"Mrs. Sheffield--"
"Please, it's Fran."
"Fran, your husband and Ms. Donovan were caught in a somewhat amorous position."
Again, Fran appears to be thing about this. Her face lightens up. "Oh, you mean the newspaper photo at intermission?"
"Yes!"
"Oh that. Well, that seems so silly."
"I have to tell you, Fran, it wouldn't be trivial or silly if I saw that photo and it was my husband."
"That's because you don't know one of my husband's top secrets," Fran says in a hushed tone.
Joy just stares at her.
Finally, Fran sighs and says, "Well, there's no way to hide this I guess. I'll just have to trust you to be careful how you use this information. It's really my fault."
Joy assures her that she only wants to understand. "I'm not interested in doing a tabloid piece. This is the first interview that you've done and I want you to be comfortable in coming to me again for one."
"OK then," Fran agrees. "The truth is that my wonderful handsome husband has a slight hearing problem in one ear and it may be my fault. It comes and goes, but the doctor thinks that it's either from a virus or from my voice. If I have to yell and he's to close, well..."
"So you're saying that that night at the opera..." Joy tries to follow along.
"They were standing in that very noisy lobby, and she was standing on his left side. He couldn't hear her very well, and rather than admit it, he just kept leaning closer. And she accidentally bit his ear." Fran finished the thought process for Joy.
Joy sits still for a minute and soaks up what Fran has said. She smiles and leans forward and turns off the tape recorder. "Ok, Fran. If that's the story you want on the record, I can't stop you. I'm sure that something that farfetched has to have some truth in it. Your husband probably does have that medical problem. But off the record, between you and me, was Kimberly Donovan hitting on your husband?"
Fran's not sure if she should say anything. She knows all about dealing with the press. Still, she genuinely likes Joy and she believes her when she says she wants the right to any future interview. "Alright. Just between us, yes, Kimberly Donovan was hitting on him. From the moment she met him, she wanted him and made no bones about it." Fran leans forward and stares into Joy's eyes. "But I know that Maxwell didn't do anything to encourage her."
Joy, looking at Fran's flawless face, smiles. "That I can believe. But what do you think will happen with Kimberly Donovan? I mean she is his primary backer in this show, isn't she?"
"She was the major backer," Maxwell says as he walks into the living room. "However, CC found so many people interested in the play that we've decided not to pursue an association with Ms. Donovan."
Maxwell sits down next to his wife, gives her a kiss, and holds her hand.
Joy picks up her notepad, "Can I quote you as saying that a group of backers is in place?" At his nod she goes further, "Do you want to address anything regarding Ms. Donovan's proposed investment?"
With a twinkle in his eye, Maxwell picks up Joy's tape recorder, turns it on and says, "While Ms. Donovan's interest in my production was flattering, my partner and I decided that we weren't going to be able to produce the type of result that she's seeking. I'm sure that she will find a better fit for her money."
Maxwell hands the recorder over to Joy who says into it, "Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Sheffield."
A Little After Midnight That Night
Fran and Maxwell are sitting in the living room having a night cap-- he a snifter of brandy and she a scoop of Haagen-Dazs. They're cuddled closed together in the oversized chair. The children are in bed and Fran and Maxwell are listening to a Frank Sinatra CD. Niles and CC come into the doorway to say goodnight.
CC smiling, "I finished reading Joy's article that she faxed over. You're right. It's terrific."
"CC, I can't thank you enough for everything you did to get us out of this mess," Maxwell says. "Suggesting that Fran and Joy meet was brilliant."
"Please," Niles sighs. "Don't go overboard. I have to live with this woman."
Suddenly, the doorbell starts ringing. They all look at one another surprised that someone would be coming here this late. Niles goes to the door to see who it is. He turns to everyone and smiles. "Brace yourselves. This should be interesting."
He opens the door and Kimberly Donovan comes in. "Well, well, well. Are we celebrating something?"
"What can we do for you, Kimberly?" Maxwell asks, hoping to keep this short.
"Joy Morley just sent me a copy of the article that she's running tomorrow. Quite interesting I must say. I never would have thought you so devious." Kimberly is practically hissing as she speaks.
Fran, trying to appear innocent, responds, "I don't know what you mean. A reporter interviewed me and during the discussion she asked me to clarify a few things."
"Right. The truth is that you feel threatened by me and decided to do everything you could to get me out of the picture. I could have taken your husband from you the night I met him," Kimberly boasts.
"You're bloody insane!" Maxwell shouts. "Do you think I would wreck my marriage for you? Of for anyone? Just look at my wife. She's beautiful, sexy, and the best mother my children could possibly have. No, I would never leave her."
"Thank you, baby," Fran reaches up and strokes Maxwell's hair. She turns to Kimberly and says, "Lady, you have no idea who you're dealing with. That background of mine that you were putting down made me tough as nails when it comes to protecting what's mine. If you think of taking me on just try it. Max and I have gone through too much together to be scared of you."
"That good in bed, eh, Max?" Kimberly responds.
CC and Fran hold back Niles and Maxwell as they lurch forward. Fran turns to Kimberly and says, "Actually, I'm better than you can ever imagine."
CC says to Fran as she smiles at Kimberly, "Gee, Fran, maybe that's part of the reason why you've only been married once and she's been married four times."
Starting to turn around and leave, Kimberly stops. "Well, you can be happy for now. But eventually I either win or make the other person wish they had lost."
CC walks over to the door, "I think you should leave now. No one here is threatened by you. But you should be very afraid. If you make any public statement that embarrasses Maxwell or Fran I will personally see that you regret it for a long time. Goodnight."
Kimberly, seeing the look in CC eyes, storms out. CC shutting the door turns to the group and says, "I don't know but what we shouldn't give her phone number to the King of Trash. They seem perfectly suited."
Niles and CC say goodnight again and head to their apartment. Fran and Maxwell head back into the living room and turn the CD player back on. Maxwell takes Fran into his arms and begins to dance slowly.
"Fran, you are truly wonderful. Please never doubt my devotion," he whispers.
She smiles. "Never. But does this mean that we have to start behaving better in public now? 'Cause I was sorta enjoyin' that part of the whole thing."
Max looks thoughtful. "Well, maybe we should just try to improve are timing better when it comes to limo door openings."
"Sounds good to me," Fran sighs.
Maxwell and Fran dance and kiss as Sinatra sings,
"When somebody loves you,
It's no good unless he loves you,
All the Way."