𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐖𝐎𝐌𝐀𝐍 𝐀𝐑𝐌𝐘- 𝐏𝐞𝐠𝐠𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫¹

eight | a sin to err

-EIGHT-

"Chief Dooley, I need you to sign this repo--oh." Magnolia walked into Dooley's office to see Peggy, Thompson and Ivchenko sitting, seemingly discussing something.

"What's the matter, kid?" Asked Dooley, pausing the conversation.

"Um, I'm going to need your signature on these reports if I'm to deposit them for rechecking." She replied, eyeing Ivchenko fearfully.

"I'll call you in later. I'm in the middle of something, Maggie." He replied, pointing at Ivchenko. She nodded, "I'm currently aware of that, sir. I'll come in later." She walked out quickly, exhaling deeply when she did.

"You okay, Nel? You look ready to pass out." Chuckled Sousa.

"Huh? Oh, um, no I'm fine, thank you, Daniel." She smiled, walking back to her desk.

"Weird." Sousa said, blinking a few times in confusion.

--Time Skip--

Magnolia sat with Peggy at the Automat, stirring her tea quietly, not saying anything.

"Nola, are you quite alright? You've been stirring that tea for the last ten minutes." Peggy said, looking at her daughter in concern.

"Oh, it's nothing. Just a little... preoccupied is all." Magnolia laughed nervously.

Peggy was about to say something but Angie interrupted, "Your new key." She handed Peggy a key, "I had to practically sign over my firstborn to Miriam to get this for you."

"Thank you. I can't imagine where I dropped mine." Peggy smiled. She referred to the little performance the Italian had put up a few minutes earlier as she added, "Angie, that was wonderful."

"Ugh, tell that to the producers. They said it was the worst audition they'd ever seen. You ordering?" The Italian asked.

"No, I'm waiting for a friend." She replied. "Angie, you can't just let one audition get you down."

"How about seven?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, but things will look up."

"I've been telling myself that for a year. Time to take the hint... The floodlights are calling, but not for me." Angie's tone changed to fake enthusiasm, "My father signed me up for secretary school. I start next week."

"Oh, Angie, no. You belong onstage." Peggy protested.

"If that were true, I'd be there already."

"We'll talk about this when I get home tonight."

"Nothing left to say." Angie shrugged. She looked at Magnolia, who was still stirring her tea and asked in a hushed voice, "Is she okay?"

"I don't think so. Something's on her mind. I just don't know what." Peggy whispered back.

"I can hear the two of you." Magnolia said in a monotone, still stirring her tea.

"Right. I'm gonna get you something to eat, Nellie. You look like a ghost. Till then, I'll let you and your friend talk." Angie said, walking away.

"I must say, I was very pleased to receive your call. Can I assume you're back on the team?" Jarvis asked, sitting behind the two of them, Michael at his side.

"I don't believe we ever were on the same team, so no. We are still, however, working towards a common goal." Peggy sharply said.

"Fair enough. It may interest you to know that your superior paid Father and I a visit." Michael jumped in.