30 TV FICTION CLASSICS

Mother and son began their housecleaning chores according to a game plan devised by Mrs. Taylor. It wasn't by coincidence that between 10:30 and 11:00 she had Alan busily vacuuming the living room and dining room. Alan didn't hear the knock at the back door. But the sounds of voices approaching him caused him to quickly shut of the noisy machine.

He turned and froze in embarrassment as Mrs. Richardson and his mother were standing not six feet away from him chatting. Alan thought that he was going to die! Imagine Mrs. Richardson seeing him in curlers and a dress! However, the expected laughter or teasing didn't start. His mother just said, "Alan, looked who dropped by."' "HHH...hell-lo Mrs. Richardson," Alan managed to squeeze out while his heart beat two hundred beats per minute.

"Alan, It was nice to see you at the beauty parlor," Amanda said with her usual cheery personality. "Time flies and seeing you reminded me that I must make time to visit my old friends?"

She was just teasing him? He may as well have been dressed in a business suit and tie for all the attention his highly unusual attire was getting.

As he contemplated this, Mrs. Richardson came over and gave him a warm hug as she had done since he was a boy. Her own lack of children had caused her to always dote on Karen's son. She had known him since he started school.

"At least your mother has you earning your keep I see," she said with a sweep of the hand toward the vacuum cleaner. "I wish more young people these days respected their parents like you."

Still no comment about his curlers or dress. She began to talk about how she needed his mother's help.

"Since Marguerite resigned. . .ran off with a rich oilman from Texas. Since she left, I've been run ragged. Things aren't getting done!" She complained. Marguerite was her personal business assistant who ran errands, handled all her correspondence and social calendar, and in general was a "Girl Friday" about the hotel. She filled in any position when help was needed. Hearsay was that she was the most highly paid employee.

With Mrs. Richardson's love of parties and social functions, the latter could be considered almost a twenty-four hour a day job.

"I was thinking how will I ever replace her. You know I'm a little particular about how my affairs are managed. Other than Margie, the only one who knows me well enough to handle the job is Karen. I'd really like you to consider taking on that job...of course your salary would be a LOT higher, but it does involve more hours and attending a lot of my social functions."

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Karen looked surprised by this amazing offer of promotion...or did she?

"Why Mrs. Richardson. . .I'm very flattered," Karen replied. "Oh, don't be flattered. You deserve it Karen! Please say you'll take it so that I can get my business and social life back in order," Amanda pleaded convincingly.

HAIR TODAY, GOWN TOMORROW -31

"How can I turn it down. It sounds wonderful and exciting. Of course I'd be honored to take the position," Mother finally said much to Mrs. Richardson's visible relief.

"Oh wonderful! I'm sure you can handle it but it may be just too much for one person. Oh well, now we have a new problem to take care of. How in the world can I replace you as my housekeeper on such short notice," Mrs. Richardson said with a look of true concern. "We need some woman who is capable and ready to start immediately," she continued. "Someone who you can train quickly.

Alan's job-hunting senses were on red alert and they smelled a "job" within grabbing range. Without pausing he said, "Gee. . where can I apply?"

Both women stopped and looked with curious faces, then Mrs. Richardson said, "Oh, Alan, you're such a dear. But I really insist on proper appearances. The hotel has always had a woman housekeeper. The Richardson Hotel must keep up proper appearances and have a woman housekeeper. It just does not look decent to have a man tending to household chores, right Karen."

"Yes. I agree," Alan's mother replied as obviously her boss expected her to support her position on such things. Alan thought of his desperate need for money and refused to let such a real opportunity slip away.

Alan stated, "But it's a new world, men can handle women's jobs!"

"Yes dear," Amanda answered with an aristocratic tone, “I'm sure you could but it APPEARANCE. We cater to the very rich and they really don't like much change. . .but I must say, you look the part today.

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"Uh...My mother's uniforms fit," he blurted without thinking how desperate it must sound. Mrs. Richardson stepped back and looked him over from head to toe. She kind of nodded her head as if to indicate that he had some kind of point there.

"Well, yes they do," she said slowly. "And you do look quite neat in this one but. . .I don't know. Do you really need a job that bad?"

Alan nodded.

Amanda studied his appearance then turned to his mother. "Karen, you know that I insist on the correct outfit for every occasion whether it be afternoon tea or an evening cocktail party. I mean, I would need someone who completely and totally presents the image of a high-class female housekeeper and sometimes would have to wait tables if we are busy. That's why I pay top dollar for the job."

Top dollar?! The sound of that was mouth-watering! Alan was losing some of the basic common sense he should have been using. "I'm a very hard worker. Maybe, just until you find a full-time replacement?" He said, grasping at a chance to make a few dollars to tide him over until he could find some other suitable job as well. Mrs. Richardson look a little surprised and smiled at his mother,