FICTION

CHARM SCHOOL

by Kathy 5-P-4 FPE

Harry Babbitt inserted his key into the keyhole of the draped glass door of the "Beth Babbitt Charm School" and entered the plush recep- tion area which was unoccupied at this early hour of 8:30 A.M. He noticed with pleasure the reflection of himself in the large wall to wall mirrors which completely covered the walls of the room from floor to ceiling.

The reflection revealed a trim, physically fit, good looking young man dressed in a conservative business suit, unobtrusive tie, freshly laundered white shirt, and neatly polished shoes. He straightened his tie, hitched up his trousers and proceeded to the small office in the rear of the school where he spent most of his time.

The flat grey paint on the bare walls of his office were in great contrast to the red flocked wallpaper in the reception area where new students first made contact with the school. The brown desk lamp was in sharp contrast to the elaborate crystal chandelier that descended from the ceiling of the reception room. With all the money that he and Liz had spent on decorating their school, he wondered why his office had to be so dull and drab in comparison to the classrooms and reception area.

His present surroundings were vastly different from the field office he had maintained on construction jobs. Harry Babbitt had been a successful builder of small commercial structures until three years ago. Then, a tight money market had brought an abrupt halt to this business activity.

When Lizabeth Babbitt had suggested that she would like to operate a charm school, as she wanted something to occupy her time, he had agreed to finance the venture and to help out until the construction business got

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