The characters in this story belong to Rupert Holmes. This story is copyright 1998, by IvoryGrand@aol.com
This happens sometime between You've Met Your Match & And if I Die Before I Sleep.
Italics denotes thought
"Hey, Betty!" Maple called to the head writer. "Scotty and I are gonna get something to eat. You wanna come along?"
Normally Betty would have said no. After a long day at WENN, the only thing she wanted to do was get home. But she found herself saying, "Sure. Just let me get my coat."
"Too late," said Scott, sneaking up behind her and helping her into her coat.
The threesome went into downtown Pittsburgh to Up All Night, a restaraunt they wouldn't normally go to except Maple knew the head waiter, so they got a discount on their meals. They ate and talked, and despite her tiredness, Betty found that she was enjoying herself.
The conversation came to a lull, so Betty decided to find out a little more about the competi, uh, Maple. "So," said Betty pleasantly to Maple and Scott, "how long have you two known each other?"
"Since we were kids," said Scott. "Mapes was my sister's best friend."
"Yeah," said Maple with a faraway look in her eye, "she was the greatest."
"Was?" asked Betty.
"Yeah," said Scott. "She, uh, died about three years ago."
Betty suddenly felt uncomfortable. "I'm...sorry."
"She was the best," said Maple. "After she died there wasn't a single honest Sherwood around."
"Yeah," said Scott sullenly, until he realized what Maple had said. "Hey!" They all laughed, trying to lighten the mood. But Betty still noticed the lonely look in Scott's eyes. He quickly looked up at Betty and smiled.
Betty tossed and turned most of the night. She looked at her clock, which said it was four in the morning. She acted on impulse and grabbed the phone. She suprised herself by knowing the phone number by memory. "Do you want to get something to eat?" asked Betty. "Even after that dinner, I'm starved."
"Sure," Scott said, suprised and sleepy but pleased. "Where at?"
"Well," said Betty, "what places are open at four in the morning?"
Which was how Betty and Scott found themselves back at Up All Night.The head waiter remembered them and gave them complimentary coffee and bagels.
At first they occupied themselves by stirring their coffee and putting cream cheese on their bagels, even though neither of them liked cream cheese. As Betty was preparing her bagel, she started thinking. I can't believe I did this. I dragged him out here at four in the morning. And for what? Betty was confused with herself.
"So," started Scott. He was suddenly stricken with self-consciousness. His head spinned trying to think of something to talk about.
"So," repeated Betty, who was going through the same.
"So, you couldn't sleep?" Scott asked nonchalantly.
"Not a wink," laughed Betty. "I guess I had some things on my mind."
"Yeah?" Scott tried not to sound too eager.
"Yeah. I guess I was just thinking...well, I have a sister."
Scott looked down, then back at her.
"And, we're very close."
"That's good," said Scott shortly.
"Yes, it is. And, well, I was just thinking..." she paused, then blurted out, "I don't know what I'd do if she died."
Great, thought Scott, so this is a pity date.
Betty sensed that he was uncomfortable, so she jumped in and said, "Oh, but that's not the reason...". Scott looked up with new hope as Betty looked down into her lap.
"It's just that, um, well," Betty started speaking, not sure herself of what she was saying, "when you talked about your sister, I, uh, saw something. You know, you have so many looks, Scott Sherwood," she said with an airy laugh. "Sly, cunning, mischevious. But there was one look I never saw before. I don't know if it was, lonliness or sadness or...I don't know. Maybe both. But I guess...I've never really thought about you, well, yes I knew you have feelings...you just don't show all of them that often. There's another look that I remember very well. And I can't identify it, really. It was when you said you," she paused as her voice caught in her throat, "that you..."
He wasn't going to help her this time.
"...that you, loved, me. You know, later on, we realized that that whole incident was just a plot to keep Victor occupied, but, well, for a second I thought you really..." she paused, stopped her sentance and started again, "You're a great actor!" She gave a little nervous laugh.
Scott looked straight into her eyes. "That wasn't acting," he said.
Betty saw so many things in his face that it boggled her mind. Scott saw the same things in her face.
"Scott," said Betty, feeling a little dizzy, but knowing she had to say it before she lost all her courage. "Scott, I..."
The waiter came to their table. "Sorry, folks," he interrupted, "we maybe up all night, but it's five in the morning now."
"Oh," said Betty with a start, getting up.
Scott was about ready to punch the waiter in the nose, but he helped Betty on with her coat. They left and didn't say a word the whole way to WENN.
THE END
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