It's late on a Saturday night in June at the Inn Elizabeth is responsible for closing at night. Dorothy has come down to the lounge, unaccompanied, knowing that the late night gentleman cigar smoking will have concluded early in honor of the Sabbath. Three Old Maid diners are nursing their rum cocktails in the back corner, but Elizabeth is otherwise alone and cashing out for the evening, a process she commences only once the help has been sent home for the evening, since 1888 pre-dates the eponymous cash registers from Toledo, Ohio up north.
Ah, up north, thinks Dorothy patronizingly to herself, as she surveys the room. How different this Charleston scene is from downtown Quaker City on a Saturday night, even the genteel sections. A mixed crowd, old and young, male and female, rich and poor (well, ok, middle class), drinking and teetolling, would be rollicking a lounge such as this one at this hour on a Saturday night. Yes, it was the Sabbath tomorrow as well in Philadelphia--but this evening's fun would be slept off during the Prodigal Son sermon at Sunday services. How can Henry want this as his future, thinks Dorothy to herself.
The she sees why. Suddenly, not more than twenty feet from her, is the blonde beauty Elizabeth. At least, Dorothy assumes it MUST be Elizabeth. Tall, with a face and hair as lovely as Helen of Troy or Venus herself, and with a scent like the incense of angels. Dorothy has heard Henry, back up north in Cambridge, speak of the otherworldly beauty of his Charleston childhood playmate, but assumed Henry, ever the chivalrous gentleman, must be exaggerating Elizabeth's beauty. But, no, if anything the opposite was the case. Words were insufficient to capture the perfection of Elizabeth's physique, and the grace with which she carried herself. Dorothy momentarily considered backing out of the conversation, and confrontation, she had been scheming for weeks.
But then Elizabeth looked up, and met Dororhy's eyes. Elizabeth heard a gasp; well, a half-gasp, from the blonde beauty. Dorothy fought the urge to release her gaze from the eyes of the South Carolina Belle; indeed, if anything, she steeled herself and returned her rival's stare ever more challengingly, the two women now staring unapologetically at each others' face.
Rival? thought Dorothy. Did I just describe Elizabeth to myself as my rival? Surely, I do not yet know if Henry's relationship is amorous. Perhaps they're "just friends". Perhaps Elizabeth has gentlemen callers on her Charleston porch, already established and much wealthier than Henry. Perhaps, too, the older half-brother of Elizabeth's, who Henry has described to me, is badly in need of Elizabeth as a property manager, and has forbidden her from romantic entanglements. Southern gentlemen have such jealous ways, perhaps he will be more unknowing ally and prevent Elizabeth from acting on "electricity" between Henry and Elizabeth.
Why is neither of us speaking?, wonders Dorothy, as the awkward silence between herself and Elizabeth extends to over a minute. Dorothy opens her mouth to speak, but her throat is so dry that no noise comes out. She blushes in embarrassment. Elizabeth smirks, which causes Dorothy to blush even more. "Shit," thinks Dorothy to herself, "surely the South Carolinian bitch's first impression of me is one of weakness." She steels her posture and gaze even more, drawing the attention of the Old Maids in the corner. Although out of earshot of Dorothy and Elizabeth, the Old Maids are tittering and clucking to themselves, "Oh, my. Do you see those two Amazon's in the center of the room? They look like they're about to issue a challenge to duel at sunrise! The must share a gentleman calller! Or be indebted, one to the other."
Dorothy regains her voice, and speaks first.
> Elizabeth, I presume?
> The same, but please call me Liza.
> Thank you, Liza. I'm Dorothy, but please call me Dot.
> Pleased to make your acquaintance, Dot. I regret to inform you that the dining room and kitchen are closed for the evening.
> Thank you, I know, I'm not here for food, or drink.
> Then..... I presume you've found what you came here for?
> I have, yes, thank you.
> I see. Well ..... did you come here to look at me?
> That. But not just that.
> Oh, is that so. You wanted to do more than just .... have a look .... at me? Dot?
> Yes .... Liza. [somewhat sarcastically, having found Liza's 'Dot' spoken sarcastically] I was hoping we might speak of a mutual acquaintance. I met him at Harvard.
> You must be speaking of Henry. [The women step closer, now three feet from each other. Dorothy can smell Elizabeth's sweat from working. She wonders if she herself smells from the humid Charleston summer air.]
> I do. I speak of Henry. You know him .... very well ..... I'm told.
> Charleston is a small town, at heart. We all know each other well. Unlike in Philadelphia.
> Then, ..... you know who I am.
> I do.
[The two women are now staring in awkward silence again. Dorothy feels her dry throat returning.]
> [She clears her throat, and resumes the conversation.] Liza, is there somewhere we can go and speak? Somewhere more ..... private?
> [Liza looks at the Old Maids.] It depends, Dot. I need to cash out these ladies. Are we going to need 5 minutes? Or longer?
> [Dorothy gets nose to nose with Elizabeth.] I think we both know this will take longer than five minutes, Liza.
> Fine, sweetie. Here's the key to my office in the back. We can lock it behind us. And be left alone. Let me get these three ladies on their way. Should take 10 minutes tops.
[Dorothy snatches the key and strides confidently to Elizabeth's office. She enters, her hands shaking and barely able to work to door. She sits on a leather couch in the office.[
> Shit. What's gonna happen now? she winders to herself.
To be continued.....