Story: The Cleaner Returns. Chapter 56.

by BigBird74

56.

Katherine had worked long into the night preparing the reception room for Dahlia’s big press conference. Carefully chosen flowers lined the sides of the room, placed strategically so they would show up clearly behind where Dahlia would sit. Katherine had always believed that, with sufficient care and attention paid to surroundings, it was possible to sway the sympathies of those in attendance. Her job had been made easier by the fact that Dahlia was looking her very best. After all, the public likes beautiful people. Katherine could only marvel at how trim and perfectly turned out Dahlia was after all those months recovering from her ‘breakdown.’ That word – breakdown – had been carefully selected by Tommy, again, to elicit a large dollop of sympathy. Drug use was still a complicated issue as far as public opinion was concerned, with a wide range of opinions, from those likely to have also indulged in the forbidden to those whose moral compass would never permit such abandon. Katherine knew, in our age of constant media, that playing the victim card would be best. It was therefore crucial that everything about the event played its part in conveying such an image.

It did not help that the cleaner seemed to be distracted, her mind clearly elsewhere. More than twice, Katherine had caught ‘Petra’ staring at the podium that was to elevate Dahlia back to her former glory, deep in thought. She had brushed off the fat slob’s excuses and firmly reminded her that the hallway and reception room must be spotless by 11am when the various guests were to arrive. It was only after the third time of telling that something finally shifted inside of ‘Petra’ and the next time Katherine checked on her, she was busy mopping the marble floor.

Checking her watch, Katherine could see that Tommy was due to arrive at any moment. Of the many men in her life, Tommy was, by far, the one she cared for most. Their relationship was purely platonic, but grounded on a real affection formed over many years of working together. Tommy had always looked out for Katherine and sent various projects her way. But Dahlia was something special. Until the ‘incident’, she had been Tommy’s prized client and he was understandably nervous about where he stood with her. Now, given what amounted to a second chance, he wanted nothing to go wrong and had asked Katherine, as a safe pair of hands, to take the job of assisting Dahlia.

Story: Severe Housecleaning Vacation.

by Dolores Azul

Social downgrade has one great boon, and another huge downside. The great boon is: if you are the sort of person who needs it, who craves it, it keeps you vital, young, and alive! I almost pity my fellow executives who age so quickly because they are fighting so hard, every day, to stay On Top of Things. If those “things” they stay “on top of” are 5G cell phones, they're 5G cell phones; if “those things” are multi-level marketing of Non-Fungible-Objects—that’s what you have to focus on, Brother! Move it, move it!

No, I’m not saying I don’t pay attention—or can’t keep up! I’m saying I have (or, I HAD) a way to de-stress, that my colleagues....don’t. But it does have a downside: you need increasing doses of social downgrade to get you the same “high” you got when you first found out What You Are. Sometimes the dose you end up taking is so big that you can’t climb back out! I knew I was taking LOTS of risks, but I thought I covered everything. 

Well, no...I didn’t. 

Story: The Bridal Shower

by Inanimate77 

Leah’s eyes lit up wide as the Uber driver dropped her off at the Davenport Estate.  In all her life, she had never seen such an opulent display of money and power.  From the first day Leah had met her roommate Charlotte, she was aware that the girl came from immense wealth.  The Davenports were one of the richest families on the entire East Coast.  Charlotte’s attendance at the elite private university, that both girls attended, was all over the news as everyone tried to pry into her life.  The paparazzi could not get enough of her. 

To say that Leah was heartbroken the day she found out the two of them were going to be roommates would be an understatement.  All her life, Leah had worked hard and pushed herself to be the best.  Countless hours of study and dozens of extracurricular activities had resulted in a full academic scholarship.  It had all paid off, but with the circus that was sure to follow Charlotte, Leah was deeply concerned that everything would go off the rails. 

Much to her surprise, the hubbub around Charlotte quickly dropped off and both girls settled into college life.  The rich heiress turned out to be every bit Leah’s academic equal.  Her focus was driven by a desire to prove that nothing had been given to her.  She earned a degree in Biology and Business, and was determined to prove herself in the world of Genetics.  Leah meanwhile excelled in her passion, pre-law with a focus on environmental matters.  Over the years, both girls became fast friends as they pursued advanced degrees in Law and Genetics.

 

Story: The Cleaner Returns. Chapter 55.

by BigBird74

Dahlia was finding it increasingly hard to ignore the growing sense of dread she felt as she neared the address Melissa had given her. Her last encounter with Katherine, just before leaving Hilltop, had been unsettling. She was angry at the cleaner’s “rude” disturbance of Ms Western and had warned ‘Petra’ to be at the house early the next morning. Having forgotten that the press conference was to be held tomorrow, Dahlia was fretting over how fast things were moving and how she had no control over events. After a long anxious wait, she was relieved to see that the bus back into Barton was empty and she was able to hide out the journey far away from any sneering kids and judgemental adults. Already Dahlia’s fragile mind was adjusting itself from that of a pampered princess loved by all to a relative outsider who felt shy about her looks. While she still valued the ability to step out of the public eye, the risks of losing everything was now apparent and explained a great deal of her unease.

Once back in Barton, it had taken some time to orient herself and find Edge Road. If a description had ever fitted a name, this was it. The closest end of the road was situated not far from the main bus station, with all the dubious charms common to those districts around the world: beggars, homeless vagrants, sex shops and bars all covered in graffiti and litter. Wherever she looked something unappealing caught her eye. The roughest denizens of Barton seemed to inhabit this space and it shocked Dahlia. Of course, no-one paid her the slightest attention. Why would they, she caught herself thinking? In her current guise she was no better than any of them. In fact, given her gross weight, lack of money and worn through dress, she was arguably worse off.

Story: The Education and Rehabilitation of Miss Caroline Drake. Chapters 1-3.

by Jackie J

Chapter 1

Caroline was born into privilege and enjoyed a cosseted childhood and adolescence. An only child she was spoiled beyond reason by her doting father. Raised in the magnificent country residence of her parents she wanted for nothing.  Eighteen, but looking younger than her age, the pretty and precocious daddy’s little princess was the belle of the ball. Many suiters rejected with an assertive coolness that belied her delicate pretty looks. Caroline was smart and a terrible tease which seemed to amuse her father, who could possibly be good enough for his little girl.

An idyllic existence, servants to wait on her every need, a wardrobe of expensive clothes and money no object. Not seen to be a flaw, in fact she was oblivious to it, was Caroline’s conceited attitude of deserved privilege, an attitude not uncommon and shared among her contemporaries’

Caroline’s stepmother did not share her husband’s unconditional admiration for his daughter, far from it. The sooner the despicable young woman was married off and out of her life the better. The feeling was mutual. Gwendoline was not her mother, something Caroline took pleasure in reminding her of at every opportunity.