Chain of Fools

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I was on the phone with Tracy when I heard the knock at the door. 

"Tracy, I want to do the film, I mean I need to do the film but...damn, why are they shooting it in Alaska?" I was saying as I went to the door.

Flinging it open I saw another delivery guy standing there with a long white box under his arm. "Julie Landor?" he asked with a Bronx accent.

I cradled the phone between my head and shoulder, nodding and rolling my eyes while Tracy prattled on. I couldn't send them back like I had the last three so I just wearily accepted them. The fourth bouquet he had sent that week.

"Thanks," I told the man absently. I closed the door and dropped the box on the floor. "There's open auditions for this Steven Sondheim musical and I really want to do it. There might be a timing conflict."

I heard Tracy hum on the other end of the line. "Well, have you decided whether or not to take Silva up on his offer for the next season?"

I bit my lip. Mark Silva had called me the day after I had thrown Adam out and he said he had drawn up a new contract. I wanted to sign, but I wondered how much of it was Adam and how much was Silva. I had told him I would think about it. That was a week ago. I glanced in annoyance at the large white box sitting on my apartment floor. 

"I haven't decided yet, Tracy," I finally answered.

Tracy took a deep breath. "Well, better make up your mind quick, Julie. Silva's not known for his patience."

Exactly. I knew that. Which was why his kid glove handling of me was so suspicious. God damn Adam Sackler. I fumed as I ended the call with Tracy and stomped over to the box. Snatching it up I slammed it down on my coffee table and was tearing it open when another knock came at my door.

"Nobody's home," I called out irritably.

The door opened and Eve sailed in with a carrier of take out coffee and a brown paper bag. My mouth dropped.

She smiled brightly. "Surprise!"

I stared at her without speaking then went back to opening the box of unwanted roses. Eve gingerly stepped over my legs and sat down next to me on the new couch I had just bought. She set the coffee and the paper bag down and cleared her throat.

"Well," she said as I lifted the dozen red roses out, "someone has a secret admirer."

I let the roses fall back into their box and looked at Eve. "You know very well who they're from and they're the fourth ones he's sent this week." I got up and carried the roses over to the kitchen sink and rummaged in my cabinet for something appropriate to put them in. "And if you've come over here as his ambassador, you can just head straight back out, Eve." I found an old vase and ran water into it. "Because I'm not listening."

Eve splayed a hand over her chest. "I am not Adam Sackler's ambassador!" she exclaimed. "And frankly Julie I am insulted that you would say that! I do not run errands for that cretin."

I gave her a wry look. "Sure, Eve."

She sat back and took a sip of her coffee, then said nonchalantly, "Even if he is stupid in love with you and going crazy because you're all he thinks about...you did the right thing. The only thing any self-respecting woman could do."

I slammed the vase down angrily. "The only one Adam is in love with is himself!"

Eve set her cup down and came over to me. "You're right, Julie," she said, shaking her head. "He's just being dramatic. Typical Adam."

"Ha!" I laughed. "Dramatic doesn't even begin to cover it! He is a lying, manipulative, selfish, arrogant, sex maniac, control freak."

Eve nodded. "Yes, he is."

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