MURDER IN LACE NOVEL IN PROGRESS
PART 1 CHARLES WEBSTER
July 1st, 2001
The curtain moved as Charles, dripping in sweat,looked out the filthy cobweb painted window. The UPS truck was pulling up to the curb, outside his small,two bedroom,house. He could have afforded a much better place to live, but with no family to intrude on his chosen world, the cape cod was just to his liking.
It was nearly 100 degrees out in the sun and hotter still inside. Charles had chosen not to waste money on an air conditioner. He watched the UPS man take the Galls box off the back of the truck. Smiling, Charles went to the door, and opened it before the delivery man could knock. "Sign here" the man said,wiping his face with a wet handkerchief. "Hot enough for you?" Charles nodded, quickly signed on the clip-pad, and grabbed the box rudely from the man's hands. He literally slammed the door in the guy's face.
Rudeness was one of Charles chosen traits, and he relished the feeling he got from being a total prick. Many people would describe Charles as an incredibly handsome, but rude, man. He stood 6',
with a slight muscular build. His usually full head of brown wavy hair was cropped short. He didn't
have many friends, because they usually forgot his good looks when his personality turned them away.
Working as a Security Guard made him feel macho, and he would take on the persona of "Judge Dread". He loved carrying the riot baton or night stick, as most people called it, and would nearly wear the finish off his badge from polishing it too much. Working at Visual Trends Software Company made him feel important.
The box was from one of his favorite catalog
companies that sold Police and Medical equipment.
Using his favorite hunting knife, he quickly tore open the box to reveal 20 sets of handcuffs, all with matching keys. A slow, sinister grin, appeared across his sweaty, unshaven face.
Charles picked up a cold cup of coffee in one hand, tucked the box under his other arm, and headed toward the basement door. The basement smelled musty, and of old urine and feces. The foul odor came up from the bottom, when he opened the door, not unlike the depths of hell. Along the mildewed walls were various chains and restraints bolted down into the cinder block. The dim lights overhead revealed a long table in the middle of the room, also dressed with hand and leg restraints. These had been stained with old dried blood, almost a crimson brown color. Another smaller table was littered with knives and saws, as well as
candles and used matches. The ashtray on the implement table was overflowing with cigarette butts and stale spent cigars.
Officer Webster, as Charles was called at work, carefully placed his box down on the larger table. Methodically, he took out each new set of handcuffs and placed them in rank and file on the empty hooks along the wall, opposite the other torturous looking area. Grabbing his groin, he headed to the back of the basement, where an old porcelain toilet was sitting lonely in the corner. He urinated for about two minutes, zipped up his fly and went back to his coveted cuffs. They were bright, and shiny new, which made them stand out from the horrid, well used ones in the room. There were unusual photographs on the wall of both men and women in horrific poses. The men and women weren't together in these poses, but very much alone in their suffering. Most were without clothes and were either strung up on the wall or tied down on the long table.
There was one photo of a very handsome man that was featured with a newspaper article. The headline said, New Vice President Named at Visual Trends Software. Charles stared at the photo carefully and patted the image on the nose. "I'll be seeing you soon, Mark Benton. Very soon."
Impressions-Lavender Lace
"Oh shit!" burst from the lovely, lipstick lined mouth of Lavender Lace. Getting ready for the midnight show, he had knocked over his cup of
Cappuccino. In a flitting motion, he/she quickly
grabbed for a towel to wipe up the mess.
Regaining his feminine composure, the stunning creation gazed into the mirror. It was covered in news clippings, and photos of exotic creatures
of the night. A purple, feather boa hung from one
side of the mirror, and several long hair wigs were lined up in front. The dressing table was covered in everything from Revlon to Mary Kay. Face creams,
eye shadows and rouges were everywhere.
When Lavender Lace stared into the mirror, this night, a stunning Mitzi Gaynor stared back. The costume was tight. He reminded himself to go
on a diet tomorrow. High heeled dance shoes graced the long, freshly shaved legs that were partially hidden with black fish net stockings.
Mitzi Gaynor, one of the favorite dancers from the 60's era, was a favorite personality of
Lavender's. He/She also loved to do Marilyn
Monroe and her newest creation, Madonna.
Looking at the small clock on her dressing
table, Lavender noted that the show would start in 10 minutes. She smiled into the decorated mirror,
picked up a bottle of Tabu perfume and sprayed her neck. Mitzi/Lavender now took her reddest lipstick and drew a circle on the mirror. She then drew a line down from the circle and put a small horizontal line and the end of the vertical one. Pleased with her artwork, Lavender recapped the lipcolor, and turned to look at her ass in the mirror. "I still got it girls" he said, in his best Marilyn voice.
From on stage, Lavender could hear the end of
Jill's segment. The music was coming to the end of her Joan Rivers act. Smiling, Lavender placed
the purple feather boa around her shoulders, with a flourish. She sashayed to the dressing room door, and left in a flourish of Tabu scent and raw sexuality.
Showtime
Lavender stood behind the, glitter sparkled curtains, anticipating the intro to her music. When he/she heard the first notes of the South Pacific showtune, I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair, she threw both curtains back, struck a sexy pose, and strutted forward onstage, toward the audience. She always felt most alive in front of an audience. Lavender was wearing her blonde wig like Mitzi Gaynor in the famous movie. She pretended to be washing her hair to the words of the song. A kick here, a butt tilt there, and the audience cheered.
The spectators were a mix of New York performers from several Broadway shows, and gay club regulars. Some were dressed in drag and smelled of a perfume factory. A few misplaced tourists gasped, and realized that they had paid for more than expected. Secretly the tourists loved the show, but if they were sitting next to Husbands or Wives, they never let on.
Lavender/Mitzi scanned the audience for her chosen free drink provider. She would hit on him after her number and have a few laughs. Lavender and Jill loved to choose men out of the audience, play with them for an hour after the show, and sometimes take one home for a more provocative good time.
Lavender spotted just who she had been looking for. A tall, very handsome executive type was sitting to the back of Impressions. His wavy blonde hair fell over his brows in a Robert Redford style. He was toying with the cherry in his drink, and making an effort not to be too conspicuous. As part of her act, Lavender would exit the stage into the audience, and play with the guys sitting at various tables. She worked her way back to the man playing with the cherry, and sat on his lap. Lavender ran her hands through his hair, while she was still singing. He blushed and tried to disappear into his seat. She took the cherry from his shaking fingers, and popped it into her mouth. The song was over. "Later sweet cakes" she said, and exited quickly to the backstage area.
AFTER THE SHOW
Jill jumped up and down, "You were terrific, tonight darling" he/she said to Lavender. Lavender headed for her dressing room, with Jill following on her heels. She took a towel off the rack and carefully patted her makeup. "Hot out there tonight doll," he/she said to Jill. Jill nodded while putting on fresh hot pink lipstick. Jill also sprayed some Chantilly on her costume. "Don't do that honey, it will stink like stale flowers tomorrow!" Jill laughed.
"I picked out a real sweetie for us tonight. " Jill looked at Lavender in anticipation. "He's waiting for us now." They both took one last glance in the mirror, straightened their wigs, and headed for the man's table.
As usual, Lavender was first to get to the table. Jill was shy, offstage, and lagged behind. "Hello handsome," oozed Lavender, sitting her self to the man's left. Leaning forward, "Buy us a drink?" Jill sat next to Lavender and played with the ashtray. She took out a long 1920's style cigarette holder, placed a Newport in the end, and looked toward the hunk for a light. He quickly took out a goldtoned zippo and lit Jill's cigarette. The gorgeous man introduced himself. "I'm Mark Benton," he said, "What will it be Ladies?" Mark choked on the words. Being in the closet for nearly his whole life, left him unprepared for these encounters.
"I'll have a Pink Lady, " giggled Lavender. He/she knew she was making Mark uncomfortable, and she loved it. Jill, very child like, whispered to Lavender. "Can I have Champagne?" Mark picking up on the quiet conversation, said, "Of course?"
Mark flagged down a waiter/waitress and ordered their drinks. The guys who worked the floor were stage hopefuls who dearly wanted to see one of the acts break a leg.
"Sooooo honey we want to invite you over to our place". Jill looked questioningly at Lavender. She was thinking; our place? Jill didn't live with Lavender. "I'm having a terrific Mary Kay party, tomorrow night. You've just gotta come." Mark put his head down and sipped on his Manhattan Cocktail. Jill chimed in. "Pleeeze....." Mark smiled. He'd like to try more exciting things in this new world. "Ok, Ladies, how do I get to your place?" He took out a small note pad from his inside suite pocket and a designer pen. Lavender gave him directions. "It's easy to find," she said. Lavender got up from her seat, signaling that their little tryst was over. Jill stood up also. Lavender leaned over, and gave Mark a kiss on the cheek, leaving a trace of lipstick. "Tomorrow night doll, at 8:00 ."
THE MARY KAY PARTY
July 3rd, 2001
Glenda Callahan was in a hurried frenzy. She was quickly doing her usual check list, something that she did before every Mary Kay Beauty show. She couldn't find the lipcolor samples and was frantically stuffing more fresheners into a large tote bag.
Glenda had been a Mary Kay Beauty consultant since the 60's and had worked her way up to Senior Sales Director. She drove the coveted pink Cadillac and was looking to climb up to the top. She'd been to seminars in Dallas ,Texas and had actually met Mary Kay herself!
Now she was only one team member away from her goal and her usual determination was causing her to run in high gear. Tonight's party was at a house on Long Island. This was close to where she held her sales meetings, and she knew there would be no trouble finding the address. She had been delighted when checking her Beauty Boxes that
were in Macy's foyer. Several good leads had panned out from the names in the box. The Beauty Boxes advertised a Free Facial and Beauty Make over to anyone who signed up. Glenda had called all of the names and had scheduled Lavender Lace and Jill Jackson for tonight.
She quickly loaded her samples, and showcase into her pink Cadillac, and put the directions to the house beside her on the seat.Glenda wondered what kind person Lavender Lace was. Secretly, Glenda thought, that maybe Lavender was a stripper. There were a lot of dancers in New York that gave up trying to perform on Broadway, and ended up stripping in one of the hundreds of clubs in Manhattan.
Tonight Glenda wanted to try to move some of her older line of products, because she knew that Mary Kay had a Fall Line coming out in late August. She called the theme of tonight's presentation, Summer Magic. She thought that focusing on makeup may be the thing for these ladies.
Glenda checked the house number on her note one last time and was convinced that she had the right place. After parking in front of the duplex, at 211 Berry Street, she pulled three totes out of the trunk and made her way to the front door. She double checked her appearance by patting her hairdo into place and smacking her lips together. She looked like a blonde Rosie O'Donnell. Many of her friends thought that they were related. This made Glenda feel special. Just as she had her hand posed to knock on the front door, the door swung open!
"Come on in honey," Lavender blurted. "Can I help you with your goodies?" Glenda was hesitant, and a bit shocked. The site of Lavender Lace standing in the doorway, in a shocking pink evening dress, was something that she had not expected. Jill was standing behind her in a royal blue creation, covered with bangles and beads. My God, she thought, they are guys!
Terri Campbell
Copyrite June 22, 2001
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