Several weeks earlier, in the wake of the Tartosa Charity Gala...
Judith Ward, queen of the silver screen, swept to her palatial mansion,
having graced the waiting paparazzi with her trademark disdainful sneer.
Let no one question that Judith Ward, legend of the acting community,
was totally composed, confident and in control.
Even when that little... musician... had stolen her Gala out from under her.
Worse, it had been a success! That wretched little Raven Witch had even managed to smooth over what should have been a horribly scandalous scene between Representative Elderberry and that blasted novelist!
And now... now...
Worse, it had been a success! That wretched little Raven Witch had even managed to smooth over what should have been a horribly scandalous scene between Representative Elderberry and that blasted novelist!
And now... now...
"Carruthers!" Judith bellowed.
"Madam called?" the urbane butler appeared.
"The horrible Goth woman," Judith ranted. "Do you know what she's done now? Do you know? The studio has given her the leading role in Curse of the Pirate Queen! That role was mine! Do you know what they offered me? The Countess!"
"Now madam, take a deep cleaning breath," Carruthers replied soothingly. "That's right. We are calm. We are composed."
"Now," the butler continued. "Perhaps madam will find playing the piano soothing, while she considers the appropriate revenge upon this upstart."
"Dear Carruthers," Judith sighed, "whatever would I do without you?"
"Ah, I have it," Judith smiled.
"The horrible Goth woman," Judith ranted. "Do you know what she's done now? Do you know? The studio has given her the leading role in Curse of the Pirate Queen! That role was mine! Do you know what they offered me? The Countess!"
"Now madam, take a deep cleaning breath," Carruthers replied soothingly. "That's right. We are calm. We are composed."
"Now," the butler continued. "Perhaps madam will find playing the piano soothing, while she considers the appropriate revenge upon this upstart."
"Dear Carruthers," Judith sighed, "whatever would I do without you?"
"Ah, I have it," Judith smiled.
"Thank you for meeting with me on such short notice, Nick," Judith smiled.
"Not at all," the mobster replied courteously. "It's always such a pleasure."
"Carruthers
explained something of the situation to me," Nick continued. "I am sure
we can find some... vulnerability... that can be exploited."
"In fact, I took the liberty of dispatching a man to Tartosa to observe and see what he could uncover."
"But how do we deal with a witch?" Judith snarled. "Make no mistaken, Nick, I am certain Cassandra Goth is a genuine witch. Certain! It is the only thing that explains her unnatural success... and longevity!"
"The Raven Witch, yes," Nick smiled. "Oh, I believe you, dear Judith. In my line of work... well, I am acquainted with things that are in the darkness which most people can't imagine. I may know someone who can help you. It make take some time to arrange a meeting... and she doesn't come cheap."
"Money is no object, Nick," Judith said confidently.
"Who said anything about money," the mobster replied.
"In fact, I took the liberty of dispatching a man to Tartosa to observe and see what he could uncover."
"But how do we deal with a witch?" Judith snarled. "Make no mistaken, Nick, I am certain Cassandra Goth is a genuine witch. Certain! It is the only thing that explains her unnatural success... and longevity!"
"The Raven Witch, yes," Nick smiled. "Oh, I believe you, dear Judith. In my line of work... well, I am acquainted with things that are in the darkness which most people can't imagine. I may know someone who can help you. It make take some time to arrange a meeting... and she doesn't come cheap."
"Money is no object, Nick," Judith said confidently.
"Who said anything about money," the mobster replied.
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