“Phew!", Diane (Kaplan) announced as she sat down opposite Marla. "Can't you get better help? I swear,Miguel must be near retirement age!"
"He was born in 1897."
"Jehosaphat,that's really old! 1897? Really?"
"He came to work for the family in 1924,and he was 27 that year."
Diane maneuvered a little. "1897 was before Beverly Hills was even a thing!"
From the family room came the sound of a piano playing. The piano was being played by Diane Fredericks,who was Diane’s second cousin and Marla’s first cousin as well,who'd been named after Diane and whom Marla (Gilbert) and Larry had gotten the guardianship of after her parents died in a shipwreck. She was eight years old,an adorable redheaded girl.
"What's the music?", Diane asked curiously.
"Oh,Fritz! I didn't tell her you were coming by”, Marla said. She strained her ears for a moment. “It's A Potpourri from La Fille du Regiment”. The music changed to something a little more lively. “And now it’s the Selections from The Arcadians”.
Diane perked up. “I like that one”. She sat back on the couch. “So,anyways,I’m going with Arty Hughes - you remember him,his dad’s an alderman on the Beverly Hills Town Council - to see Les Troyens at the Pasadena Playhouse.”
A beat passed,then Marla spoke up. “What on Earth is Trojans or whatever?”
“An opera Arty wants to see after he saw it last year in New York”, Diane replied. “And then on Friday night we’ll go back to see Kabalevsky give a piano performance.” She stretched her arm over the arm of the couch. “Don’t they have opera here in Beverly Hills?”
Marla furrowed her brows in thought. “I think I saw Lohengrin during our junior year of high school. As I remember,it was when you and your family were vacationing in Australia.”
————
"And we have liftoff on Skylab 5", the TV commentator was saying as the two Dianes were eating their breakfast. "Commander Jim McDivitt,pilot Gerry Carr,and science pilot Don Elston are on their way now in the CSM,call sign Beta. They will formally take over the running of the station from Ed White's crew tomorrow,although the White crew will spend a few more days on Skylab helping their replacements acclimate to space life."
Diane Fredericks turned to Diane Kaplan with wide eyes. "So that's the kind of stuff you work on now,Auntie Di! That's so out there!"
“I know", Diane replied with a laconic smile. On the TV screen the Saturn 1B rocket was growing smaller in the Florida sky,its flight already a minute old. Its plume was spreading out across the sky like a great fan.
————-
We have liftoff of Hexagon 10.
CSOC now controlling,roll and pitch maneuver.....
Mach 1,all liftoff transients smoothed out.....
Plus fifty seconds.
AOS,Santa Ynez.
One minute fifteen.
Stage 1 ignition on time...
Flight,we show negative SRM sep.
Copy,negative sep.
Flight,RSO,we're halfway to the destruct limit.
Keep monitoring.
Two minutes thirty,still no separation of the SRMs....
Flight,we show impact risk,LA metro. We're just about to the limits,I recommend destruct.
RSO,Flight,issue destruct command.
LOS,all sources.
Flight,radar tracking multiple targets.
Flight,the Hexagon is free and falling,we're getting weak telemetry. We'll send recovery forces to the impact point.
—————-
Hello,Kestrel? This is Vandenberg Control. Come in -
Yes,Bailey said she'd patched you guys in on our comms.
Yeah,we've got reporters in here,they're excited and all. First private manned spaceflight,y'know?
Yes. Go ahead with your questions.
(Bailey cuts in)
No,I'll relay them to you guys. Where in relation to the Apollo 17 landing area are you?
Just west of the LM descent stage,a little short of the ALSEP. Hadley Rille is a little closer to us than the horizon. We can see Bridge Crater clearly.
Okay,next question. How is Skip reacclimating to lunar conditions?
Very well. It's nice to be in my old stomping grounds again. I can't wait to see if we can reactivate the Rover.
Third question. How does powered descent with monatomic hydrogen compare to powered descent with conventional fuels?
I'd say it was generally rougher,but it still got the job done.
A bit like a haywagon ride at the Hemet fair in June.
This is Vandenberg. The fourth question is for Bailey in Kestrel. As Jacqui hasn't flown beyond Earth orbit yet,and Emmett's Apollo crew is now just arrived in lunar orbit,how does it feel to have beaten your brother to the Moon?
Finally a victory for younger siblings everywhere! But it feels pretty good. Tell him I'll see him in a few hours,okay?
Fifth question. Skip,do you feel optimistic you'll be assigned to another NASA mission once back on Earth?
I'd say I am. I'm still an active astronaut,aren't I?
————-
In gratitude from the government and space industry of the RSFSR and the USSR this medallion is given to the six crewmembers (four in the orbiter Columbia, two in the booster Antares) of STS-22.
Robert Franklyn Overmyer
Andrea Lucy Wickman
Norman Earl Thagard
Carly Ann Simmons
John Leonard Swigert
Henry Steven Krause
22 May 1980
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Moscow, RSFSR, USSR
————-
Who even is your "crowd", Nikki?
Let's see......Cara Ames,Pamela Belden,Joanna Wallace,Gabrielle Davis,Anna Thirlwall,Judy Fletcher,Kayla Marshall,Amy Lucas,Samantha Baker......I think that's it.
Leah Kilbourne,Amy Lucas,and Allison Reynolds will be "Group One". Jessica Boulet,Elizabeth Trabka,and Kayla Marshall will be "Group Two". Stacey Gordon,Cara Ames,and Renée Fineman will be "Group Three". Nikki Faile,Chloe Rivera,and Mary Borders will be "Group Four". And April Williams,Kristen Del Valle,and Benny Hanson will be "Group Five".
After school, Nikki went to Mark's Diner to take notes for her column. Pushing her way past the entrance booth, she almost ran into the Charlie the Clown statue, armed with balloons. One bronze balloon was marked "Athena V - Venus Flyby - 8 September 1985" and she took it with a smile:clearly Charlie was up to date when it came to spatial events.
"That'll be 25 cents, miss", drawled Frank Moeller. Nikki gave him 50 cents and he made the change. "See you 'round!"
Nikki nodded at him and then went into the restaurant proper. As usual for the hour,the place was crowded with couples her age, mostly people she knew. Grace Hammond and Zach Lewis were talking softly over burgers.
It seems,dear readers,that Laine S. and Andy M. are an item now. Your intrepid reporter saw them at Mark's yesterday,sharing milkshakes and fries,and today in gym class they were talking rather closely.......
Congratulations to Barry A. on passing his driving and carpet tests! You da man......
Lori S. crashed her bike near Waldengrove yesterday and will be missing 10 days of school to recover,so up to Christmas break. Send her your best wishes,folks......
Jena H. is forming a science and magic subjects study group in room 225,with Brian J. as group secretary. After prom,this proves to me that they're gettin' hot and heavy..........
I’m happy to report that Cara A. is now the cheer squad captain! You’ve come a long way,baby!
By the way,congratulations to Leah K. for making the wide receiver position on our football team! As Ms Goslin says,”Floreat Shermer!”
Nikki was just wrapping up her piano piece when she saw the short-haired girl leaning on the wall,her jacket with its grey sheen catching the light perfectly,a sort of crooked grin on her face. “Nice music,geek girl.”
Nikki turned with a grin. “Thanks,do I know you?”
“Lindsay Watts’ the name. You’re a junior here,right? I’m a senior - can’t wait till I get outta Dodge. What was the music? It was lovely - almost beats the stuff I listen to.”
Nikki straightened up. “The Ouverture from Giulio Cesare by Haendel, as redacted for piano by Queler and Brocklehurst. I’m playing it at an Evanston concert next month.”
“Sweet! Your name’s Nick,right? Something like that - I know April Williams and I think she knows you - you heard she’s pregnant,right?”
“Yeah,and I think that stigma’s stupid. I hope everything goes well with her. And my name is Nikki Faile.”
“Yeah,I’ve heard of you before,Cara Ames’ bestie.”
A series of rhinestones was set at different points in Pamela's hair,giving her blonde coiffure a shiny look that reflected the gym's lighting and contrasted nicely with her light green dress. She and Luke were sitting at another table with a sophomore couple, Ricky Gardner and Kendra Sullivan.
Nikki got in with Watts,turning the showerhead on the older girl and turning the water on high. She pressed her bare body reassuringly against Watts' back,feeling her soft spine,her arms around Watts' belly to help her relax. Watts sighed deeply,the huskiness of her voice evident. "Oh,thanks,Nick. You are a good friend,you know?"
"Always", Nikki said back. "I'm gonna help you clean up,okay? You need it."
"You're not too bad looking,friki Nikki.'
"What?"
"A friend of mine has that word for peeps like you. It's Spanish,means geek. That's what you are."
Nikki reddened happily.
"And honestly....I know I haven't known you as long as Cara or Pam,but you're a friend,maybe something more,I don't yet know. But I want you to be part of my life." Watts' voice softened as she worked on Nikki's body,gently mapping her pear-like curves. "In fact,do you wanna know something about me?"
"Yeah,I do."
"I've never been to a prom before but I've always kinda wanted to go. I know it's a year away,your senior prom,but I'd happily be your date. I checked the Shermer handbook and it is allowed for girls to go with girls and guys with guys - pretty progressive,eh?"
But for tonight,the Shermer High class of '87 was united in a way,no matter their class or ethnicity,that common denominator being an enjoyable prom. Nikki accepted Cara's offer of a dance with her,smiling reassuringly at her bestie.
"Look at us", Nikki laughed nervously, "the cheer captain and the geek girl,dancing together like it's nothing. What will people think?" (this last was said sardonically).
"'S not like we're dating or anything - but if I was into girls,Nick,I'd wanna be with you. It’s almost too bad you and Watts are together.”
"You're so sweet,Cara."
"Hey,we've known each other since 1973,been friends since '76,best friends since '81. Six years of bestiehood - I wouldn't trade that for anything else.
—————
The Tanner manse (you couldn't quite call it a mansion) was smack in the middle of 50 leafy acres just within the LA neighborhood of Cheviot Hills,not too far from Beverly Hills but close enough. The Tanner property bordered on the slightly larger expanse belonging to Dupree Hall,the somewhat pretentiously named mansion belonging to Bianca Dupree's family. Architecturally,the two houses were rather different:the Tanner home had a mock-Tudor look to it (something straight out of 1885,people said) while Dupree Hall looked as though it belonged to the 1930s in design.
————
"Troy showed up forty minutes ago,got on a bike,and just split. He drove down the access road onto Beverwil,then south onto Canon Drive,trailing rubber like he was on a high-speed chase."
Larke sat up. "You can see that far?"
"Special implants in my glasses",Brenda replied. "But I didn't see Bianca. My best guess is that she took a great circle route through the Trousdale Estates. They’re on the other side of the Teen Club,so neither me nor Troy would see her.” She looked at her wristwatch. “By now,allowing for the speed of her Hummer,she should be back on the Teen Club property.
Wilshire was grateful to see the Teen Club's dome in the distance as he approached the parking lot. He pulled in next to Tara's stretch limo,got out and went over to help Liz out.
"I'm fine,Wilshire. I can get out on my own". Wilshire stood aside and when she was standing up he linked her arm in his.
"I hope you're okay with this,Liz."
"Of course",she said with a smile,her strawberry blond hair shining in the light from the Teen Club. "What girl doesn't want to partner a guy like you? You really are nice,and it's a shame Bianca isn't in my shoes tonight."
Wilshire blushed as he led Liz up the stairs,turning over in his brain the implications of her words. She was right about this,wasn't she? Bianca was his employer and he could say that he counted her as a friend,even if they weren't very close.
————
Adele Rubin was a tall handsome woman,like an older version of Enid in appearance. Her dark hair was worn in an updo and her brown eyes and lightly tanned skin complemented the look:she used a low-level glamour spell to keep the skin youthful. She was wearing a gold backless dress and carrying her favorite purse as she approached the girls.
"Enid,honey,I thought you were - oh,now I remember!" Adele made a show of covering her forehead with her right arm.
"Of course! This is the business practical you're doing for school! You told me last evening!"
Larke rushed to defuse the situation as only she could. "Don't be a stranger,Mrs Rubin! Here,sit down,have some ice cream! You in a hurry?"
"Actually,I'm not! My client won't be in LA till tomorrow! She's Kara Ellison,the electropop sensation."
————-
And there's Nikki Darling,resplendent in a gold evening gown and pearl necklace. She's Justin Darling's daughter,the real estate king.
Yes,Leanne. The family's rumored to be part fae.
I wouldn't doubt it,Joe! She's cute! The pointiest chin I've ever seen....yep,there’s definitely fae blood running in her veins! And in her train I can see Massie Block and Susan Croft. Who's behind her?
Brenda Andes,called Switchboard or Chatterbox. The BHTC's resident gossip,she is.
Oh,yes,I know who she is. Last year she put Mona Blabbitt in her place. She's got brown hair and eyes as you can see. And an aquamarine dress,probably made by Fifi.
"Welcome,welcome,one and all,to the 1st Annual Beverly Hills Teen Club Valentine's Day Ball, held on February 14,1995! I'm Shanelle Spencer,president of the club,and with me is Dylan Marvil,my vice-president. Dyl,if you will?"
"Hello,everybody! It warms my heart to see you all here. We've got a really fun night planned! For those of you not into dancing,there's the game room and recreation rooms. Our pool and outdoor areas are lit tonight so they're available as well. And I haven't even mentioned our in-club restaurant and library. So there’ll be plenty of dancing and activities for you tonight,and I really hope you enjoy! Now let's have some fun!"
(Gaunt? The Thorndyke family'll have no truck with a pureblood bigot!
I assure you,Pierce,I'm no bigot! I believe in creature rights! Why do you accuse me?
One of my friends is a twentieth part fae! Her name's Nikki,she's over there by the punch bowl!
The Gaunt family was once bigoted. But that was when my grandfather Marvolo was the Head of House! He died when your parents were children,Pierce! I'm a metamorphmagus. Should I be persecuting myself in the Courts of Spellbound Law?
I......I apologize for my words,Mr Gaunt. They were said in passion and uncalled for.
And I accept your apology,Heir Thorndyke.)
—————-
Radley,what on earth are you doing? Have you forgotten that the Moonlight Cruise is tonight?
Like,maybe,Gracie? Where's Jacy?
At Cara Walker's house with some of the other girls. Larke,Ashley,Nikki,Susan,Jett,Emily,Maya......
How can you dance from a wheelchair,anyway?
Maya's on the waiting list for that new human exoskeleton that German guy invented last year. Once she gets it she won't need a wheelchair anymore.
That's fabuloso! So I guess we're going with each other as we usually do? I know Jacy's going with Wilshire.
Of course,you nitwit.
————
Bimbos like him shouldn't be allowed anywhere south of the Bird Streets neighborhood.
Uh,Bianca,some of our friends live in the Bird Streets,like Buck and Sophie.
They're the "good" Bird Streets people,Wilshire. That salesman wasn't.
—————-
On Christmas Day Jacy awoke to a spread of pancakes,breakfast sausages,eggs,and toast cooked by Fred and Cherie. To say she devoured it would be the understatement of the century:after what she'd gone through at the ski lodge,she needed some meat on her bones! In truth,she was just very glad to be with the people she cared about the most.
Later in the morning Blaise stopped by with Stacey,Dylan,Abbie,and Liz to say hello and unwrap presents. It turned out everyone had made it home safely early on the twenty-second. The only lasting effect was that Grace Oliver had had frostbite,but she was convalescing at her Agoura Hills home and she would be fully recovered in time for the new school term at Hollywood High. "In fact",Liz said,"she was at Cedars-Sinai overnight for observation,and me and Switchboard stopped by with tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches for her! If that's not friendship I'd like to know what is!"
—————
There was just something about this moment: Pierce and Liz,cuddling nude in the shower,the water running,and Liz giggling about something,her laugh tinkling like gold turned to sound,her fingers drumming against his back. If this was love,he wanted all of it! He leaned over and sucked on her neck,intent on giving her a nice little hickey with which to remember tonight by.
After tonight,he told himself,I'm off the market for good and always. I'll have no one but Elizabeth,if she'll have me (and I think she will).
————-
SOCIETY PLAYBOY SETTLES DOWN WITH GIRL NEXT DOOR
By Brenda Andes
The recent announcement of the engagement of Pierce Thorndyke III and Elizabeth Patterson has set tongues wagging all over Beverly Hills and even beyond. Who knew they love each other? It's like if the richest guy in the world asked his cleaning lady to marry him. Granted,they're both rich,but there are those (me NOT among them,don't worry) who think Pierce should've affianced someone closer to him. Well,to them I say that they know nothing about Pierce and Liz! They're practically soulmates!
Jay,no!
What?
He got into my paint supplies again,didn't you,Jason Cameron Block? Can you put Samantha to bed,Cam?
Sometimes I wish we didn't have twins,y'know?
'S not my fault you had extra sperm cells! I'm gonna breastfeed Jay before his bedtime,maybe watch some TV with him. He likes mysteries,just so you know.
Show him the Poirot series,Massie,he'll love that.
I have already!
Then LAPD Confidential,or that new Johnny Bolan show.
Oy,you are such a git. Why even did I marry you,again?
'Cause the Block and Fisher family fortunes needed combining,Massie baby!
Sheesh. C'mon,Jay,it's suckling time. To the TV room we go.
