A Helping Hand

The Tesla gala

It took Tony a few more tries before he finally feasted on Serge's dishes, none of them like anything he had ever tasted before. He was incredibly proud of himself for making it one month. As he approached his two month anniversary of sobriety, he received an invitation to a gala unveiling of Tesla Motors' IronCar, the first consumer vehicle to use arc reactor propulsion. The event promised to be as star studded as the Oscars, with formal gowns on beautiful women and men in tailored tuxedos with black ties. He whistled as he tried on his suit a week before and took Sarah and Howard to the city to shop for clothes. Sarah admired some of the gowns on display while Howard had his suit fitted.

"So...what would you say if I told you to pick one out?" Tony asked.

"I'd say you were crazy. I don't have anywhere to wear something so nice."

"How about to the Tesla gala?"

Her jaw dropped, "What?"

"The Tesla gala. I'd love your company. And Howard would probably like somebody to talk to if I get tied up in an interview. You can also remind me not to touch the champaign."

"I'll stick out like a sore thumb. I am so not a society girl. I have no idea what to do in fancy situations."

"You'll be fine. Now, pick out a dress."

She went straight to an azure ballgown that glittered with crystals, "This is regal."

"Let's try it on you." He waved over an attendant and Sarah disappeared into a fitting room. The attendant dodged out a few times to bring things from other areas of the shop- foundation garments, shoes, long fingerless gloves, a few hairpins. When Sarah emerged to show off her dress, she was giddy. It fit well, with only a few alterations needed.

She twirled in front of Howard and Tony, "I look like Cinderella, but even more awesome!"

Howard clapped, "You're coming with us! This is so cool!"

By the end of the day, Sarah not only had her gown and shoes, but she also had jewellery she was convinced was worth more than her car.

It was not until they were in the limousine between the hotel and gala that Tony realised he would have to say something to the press to convince them that he and Sarah were not dating less than a year after his wife's death.

He was fretting over it when Howard piped up, "Just tell them she's my governess. She'll be spending most of the evening with me, anyway, while the press tries to get you to spill some deep and juicy secret."

"Well I hope to try to avoid any secret spilling tonight. I want a drama free day tomorrow."

"Not going to happen, Dad. Somebody's going to notice you not taking a glass and accuse you of being a raging alcoholic. Then everything's going to spiral out of control from there."

"But I am an alcoholic. That part wouldn't be a surprise to anyone."

"True."

Sarah was trying not to fiddle with the edge of her short cape as they pulled up to the red carpet, "Here we go..."

Someone opened the car door. Tony stepped out first, his smile wide, waving. He offered Howard a hand, and Howard turned to offer Sarah his. She tried to ignore the flashbulbs as Tony guided them to the door.

Howard patted her hand, "Stay with me, Sarah, and you'll be fine. I've been to a few of these and they're all pretty much the same."

"So what do we do first?"

"We get inside and get to the cloakroom. Then we dodge reporters while we get something to eat and Dad gets waylaid at least three times." She was surprised by how accurate his prediction was. They settled at a table while they waited for Tony to finish his interview, the reporter having cornered him while he was selecting shrimp.