TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "BUM"

How do you like our new logo? Welcome to Tuesday Tales. This week is another episode of "The Chase." Scroll down to return to Tuesday Tales. Thank you for stopping by. 

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Rennie raised the collar of her coat against the winterish wind. Tim offered his arm and she took it. They slipped and slid their way to the subway.

“The ‘C’ train.” He led her to the turnstile.

The station didn’t feel much warmer than the street.

“It’s freezing.” Rennie stomped her feet to keep her circulation going.

Tim checked the digital sign. “Train’ll be here in two minutes.”

“Longest two minutes of my life.”

The car was warmer. They easily found seats.

“Everyone’s off celebrating.” She moaned.

“I promise you one helluva celebration when we find her.”

“Really? Like what?”

“We’ll figure it out then.”

The train pulled into the 42^nd Street station. They climbed the stairs into the freezing cold. The wind whipped down the avenue, forcing Rennie to tighten her scarf. Tim took her hand. Side-by-side they negotiated their way down the icy, slushy sidewalk until they reached their destination.

When Tim held the huge door open, Rennie’s heartbeat quickened. She gripped his arm.

“Do you think she’s here?”

He checked his watch. “Should be. Unless she got through her appointment in fifteen minutes. It’s nine forty-five.”

He hurried to the front desk.

“Magic Modeling?” Rennie asked the doorman.

“Tenth floor.”

They took the first elevator and rode up in silence. Tim took her hand.  When the door opened, they glanced up and down the hall.

“This way,” Rennie tugged on his sleeve and turned right. They stopped in front of a door with “Magic Modeling Agency” painted in big black letters on it. It was locked. Tim pushed the buzzer. When they heard a click, he pushed the door open.

A man sat behind a small receptionist desk. Rennie could hardly breathe.

“Gwen Morgan?”

“Huh?”

Tim frowned. “Gwen Morgan. She had an appointment here at nine thirty. Is she here?”

“Keep your pants on, buddy. You got a bum steer. Her appointment was for nine. She only stayed five minutes to collect her stuff.”

“What stuff?” Rennie cast hopeful eyes at him.

“Her head shots and resumes and shit.”

“Oh. Okay.” Rennie nodded.

“Do you know where she went?”

“Me? How the hell would I know? You have business here? If not, run along. Or I’ll call the cops.”

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TUESDAY TALES - PICTURE PROMPT

Welcome! This week we have a picture prompt. We're only allowed 300 words. I have another episode of "The Chase" this week. Scroll down to return to Tuesday Tales. Thanks for stopping by. 

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In the morning, Rennie woke up with Tim’s arms around her. His rhythmic breathing brought his chest in contact with her back. She closed her eyes and pretended they were lovers.

An hour later, Tim rolled away from her and woke up. He disappeared into the bathroom, giving her time to wake up and throw on clothes. When he came out, he gazed at the floor.

“Sorry about that.”

“About what?”

“Uh, getting too close.”

“No problem. Hungry?”

He nodded. Rennie pulled out eggs and made breakfast. Tim spoke.

“There’s a piece of paper here with an appointment on it.”

“Really?” Rennie raised her eyebrows as she handed him a fork.

“Yep.”

“What kind of appointment?”

“Maybe a modeling agency? Can you look it up?” Tim buttered two pieces of toast and placed one on her plate.

Rennie put down her fork and turned on the laptop. “What’s the address?”

“344 West 38^th Street.”

“Yep. There it is. Way down on the list, but still there. Magic Modeling Agency.”

“Finish up. Let’s go.”

“What time is her appointment?”

“Nine thirty.” Tim checked his watch. “Right about now.”

Rennie wolfed down the rest of her food. Tim looked out the window. “Snow stopped, but the street is a mess.”

“Do you think the subway is running?” Rennie dumped the dishes in the sink.

“I hope so. It’s a long walk from here.”

“Too long. Taxi?”

“I don’t think we can find one.”

“Uber?”

“Subway. Let’s go.”

Rennie put her palm on the window. “It’s cold out.” She opened her closet and rummaged in a box in there. Turning, she tossed a scarf to Tim. “Wear this.”

“Thanks.” He held the door. “Got the letter?”

She smiled and patted her pocket. “Right here.” They hit the snowy streets of Manhattan. 

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TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT - DIRT

Welcome! This week the word prompt is "dirt". We have another episode of "The Chast." Scroll down to return to Tuesday Tales. Thanks for stopping by. 

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When Rennie and Tim finished the first pizza, she wiped her hands, then picked up the address book. She wiped dust and dirt from the cover with a tissue. She opened it. The book was organized alphabetically. She flipped to the tab marked “A”.

Tim refilled their wine glasses while Rennie flipped through the small book.

“There are a lot of names and addresses in here.”

“Maybe we won’t have to contact everyone.”

She raised her eyebrows. “An optimist?”

He shrugged. “Maybe. Let’s start in the morning.? Wanna watch a movie.”

“Sure.”

Tim flipped through channels until he came to “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

“I love this movie! Let’s watch it.” Rennie smiled.

“Okay.” He opened the second pizza and doled out two pieces.

Rennie chowed down, easing a bit closer to Tim. He slipped his arm around her.

When the movie was over, Rennie opened the sofabed. Tim turned out the lights.

“Come, look.” He motioned. She joined him.

Fat snowflakes fell slowly, swaying back and forth in front of her window.

“It’s kinda pretty.” She smiled.

“Tomorrow, we’ll hit the ground running.”

“We have time to find Gwen.”

“Maybe, but if we don’t get started, it'll be too late.” Tim stepped back and closed the curtain.

“To bed.”

“Yep. I’ll sleep on the floor. Do you have an extra blanket?”

“Ridiculous. We can share the bed. It’s a queen. Just stay on your side and I’ll stay on mine.”

She saw a flush steal up his neck.

“It’s just that I don’t know you and I don’t want to presume…”

“Then stay on your side. Come on. I’m tired.” She tugged on his sleeve.

They stripped down to underwear and scooted under the covers quickly.

“Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.” She yawned.

“Glad I met you,” he said. 

“Me, too.”

Silence blanketed the room. Then a soft snore made her giggle. What would happen tomorrow? A shiver of anticipation shot through her.

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TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "CARELESS"

Welcome to Tuesday Tales. Our word prompt this week is "careless." Another episode of "The Chase," is up. Scroll down to return to Tuesday Tales. Thanks for stopping by. 

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“I’ve called ten modeling agencies and no one’s heard of a Gwen Morgan.” Rennie pushed to her feet and strolled to the window. She eased the curtain aside. Peering out the window, she stared at the fat snowflakes falling. Lights from the street lamps gave the scene a silvery Disney-movie feel. She frowned.

“Damn snow.”

“It’s snowing?” Tim jumped up and joined her at the window. “Shit. I have to work tomorrow.”

“Aren’t you working now?”

“Well, yes. I am supposed to get a release signed from this Morgan person.”

“So there. You’re working.”

“It’s sticking.”

“I’m hungry. Let’s order pizza.” Rennie licked her bottom lip.. “Meatball, pepper and mushroom. Healthy.”

He laughed. “I wouldn’t exactly call that healthy. But I do have a small expense account. I can pay.”

She smiled. “Great! I’ll get the number.”

Tim took out his phone. “Want anything to drink?”

“Yeah. Coke.” She plopped back down on the sofa and picked up the address book.

Tim made the call. “You have any booze?”

“I have wine.”

“Red or white?”

“Red.”

“Good.”

Rennie produced two wine glasses and an unopened bottle.

“I’ll do that.” Tim took the corkscrew.

“I can do it.”

“Yeah, but I don’t mind.”

It had been a long time since a man had offered to open a bottle of wine for her. Or buy her dinner either. She watched him go through the motions, easily uncorking the merlot. He tossed the cork carelessly on the table.

“Don’t think we’ll be needing that.”

She glanced up at him. “Really? We’re going to drink the whole bottle?”

Tim gestured to the window. Looks like we’ll be snowed in before long. Besides, we’ve got a shit-ton of work to do. Do you want to go through the address book or sort the papers?”

“I’ll do the address book.” She bit her lip. “Maybe we should have ordered two pizzas?”

“I did.”

“Oh?” She raised her eyebrows. “You figure to be here late, huh?”

“Maybe all night. If that’s what it takes to find Gwen Morgan.” He wore an impish grin. “That okay with you?”

Rennie swallowed. Damn, up all night with an attractive man in a snowstorm with pizza. Was she living in a romance book or what? “Sure. Whatever it takes.”

“Right. Whatever it takes.”

The buzzer sounded. When Tim got up to answer, Rennie poured the wine and took a big gulp.

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TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "SKINNY"

Howdy! Welcome. This week we're writing to the word, "skinny." There's another episode in the new story, "The Chase." Scroll down to return to Tuesday Tales. Thanks for stopping by. 

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Rennie opened a folder. “Wow, she never looked like that when I saw her.”

Tim yanked pictures out of her hand. “Damn. She’s hot.”

“Skinny. I guess she was a model.”

“You lived across the hall and you didn’t know?”

Rennie felt a flush heat her cheeks. “We didn’t talk a lot. I mean, we only ran into each other coming and going.”

“You never invited her in for grapes and coffee?” A twinkle lit his eyes.

Rennie slapped his shoulder. “Come on.”

“No, really. Never had coffee?”

“Never had a conversation.” Rennie shrugged. “New York City neighbors. Do you know your neighbors?”

“If a hot woman lived across the hall from me, you can be sure I’d know her name and vital statistics.”

“Like her bra size?” Rennie quirked an eyebrow.

Now it was Tim’s turn to blush. “I didn’t say that.”

“You didn’t have to. You’re a guy.”

“Okay, okay. I get it. So she’s a model. Hmm.” He turned over the photo. “Gwen Morgan. Maybe we should call all the modeling agencies in the City and see if they have her listed.”

“Good idea. I’ll Google.” Rennie opened her computer. “Crap! There are 80 modeling agencies!”

“Damn.” Tim shook his head, then whipped out his phone. “Do you want to call the first one or should I?”

“We’re going to call all 80?”

“You have a better idea?”

She frowned. “No, but that seems ridiculous.”

“This whole thing is ridiculous. Let’s forget it.” He slipped his phone back into his pants pocket.

Rennie tugged on his sleeve. “No, no. We can’t do that. Okay. Let’s start calling. We’ll alternate.”

“Right. I’ll do the first one. Then you.”

“Okay.”

“Wait. What about her address book?” Tim picked it up.

“I don’t know. I’m getting confused.”

“Let’s call 10 model agencies, then work on her address book.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Rennie picked up her phone and dialed.  

“Wilhelmina Modeling? Yeah. I’m looking for a Gwen Morgan.”

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TUESDAY TALES - PICTURE PROMPT - GRAPES PICTURE

Welcome! This week we have another episode of "The Chase" written to this picture prompt. Yep, we're still talking about grapes! Scroll down to return to Tuesday Tales and read the other stories. Thanks for stopping by. 

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“Get all the papers.” Rennie stooped to gather the various sheets of paper littering the floor.

“Not gum wrappers.”

“No, not gum wrappers, silly. Are there any?”

Tim grinned. “Fooled  you.”

“Get serious. We don’t have a lot of time.”

With full arms, they retreated to her apartment.

“These are the best damn grapes. Where did you get them?” Tim plucked a small cluster off the vine.

“Forget the grapes. We have work to do.”

“Let’s sort the papers.”

“Do you still have the address book?”

He handed it over. “Why don’t you check names and addresses while I look over the papers?”

“Got it.”

They sat quietly, munching on grapes. Rennie pushed to her feet and headed for the kitchen.

“Coffee? Tea?”

“Coffee. Thanks.” Tim spoke without taking his eyes off the papers.

In a few minutes, Rennie returned carrying two steaming mugs. She handed one to Tim.

“How’d you know how I like it?”

She shrugged. “Guessed.”

“You hit it on the nose.”

Rennie thumbed through the small book. “She doesn’t have a lot of names here.”

“Good. Makes our job easier.”

“Do you think we’ll find her hiding out with someone from the book?”

“I don’t know.” He put down the page he was reading and frowned. “What if she’s shacked up with another guy?”

“Oh, crap. Never thought of that.”

“Maybe she’s already with Bill?”

“And maybe not. How many guys’ names are in there?” He peered over her shoulder.

“Not too many.”

“Maybe we should try them first.”

“Yeah. If we find her there, then Bill can forget it.”

“Or she’ll dump the new guy and marry Bill?” Tim smiled.

“Are you a hopeless romantic?” She quirked an eyebrow.

“Don’t know about the romantic part, but hopeless fits.”

“You don’t look hopeless to me.”

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TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "GRAY" #romanticsuspense #suspense #romance

Welcome! This week, we continue with the story, "The Chase" using the word prompt "gray". Scroll down to return to Tuesday Tales. Thank you for stopping by. 

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“You don’t know her name?” Tim snapped off a small bunch of grapes.

“Hmm. Let me see.” She closed her eyes and clasped her hands together in front of her chest. “Fiona. Fiona, I think. Yes. Fiona Nelson or Nerson. Don’t you have her name in your files somewhere?”

Tim reached into the breast pocket of his jacket. “You were half right. Fiona Malsom.”

“Yes!” Rennie bolted upright.

“So? Where is she?”  Tim replaced the paper.

“There must be some information in her apartment.”

“She’s moved out.”

“So? Everyone leaves crap behind. Let’s go.”

Tim cocked an eyebrow.

“Don’t you have the key?” Rennie pushed to her feet.

“Yeah. So? I can’t just go in there.”

“Why not?  You said she’s not living there anymore.”

The log broke, falling away into small glowing embers. Rennie tugged on his sleeve.

“Come on.”

“Why? Why do we need to find her? Maybe she already knows? Maybe she’s ghosting this guy?”

“Where’s your sense of adventure? Romance?”

“I don’t believe in that shit.”

“Well, I do. And I happen to have some free time. Let’s go.”

“You go ahead.”

“Let me into the apartment.”

Tim rose and joined her. “I hope this doesn’t get me fired.”

“What a scaredy-cat.”

His nostrils flared as he straightened his shoulders. “I’m not afraid of anything.”

“Obviously, you are.”

“Okay, okay.” He yanked the door open and strode across the hall. After shoving the key in the lock, he turned it and pushed open the door. “There. Happy?”

Rennie took a tentative step over the threshold. “Geez. The place is a mess.”

A broken chair lay on it side. A coffee table with only three legs perched precariously in front of where a sofa might have been. Papers of all sorts lay scattered on the living room floor.

“Let’s check the bedroom.” Rennie grabbed Tim’s tie and pulled.

“Okay, okay. Lay off.”

“Sorry.”

“Afraid to go in there by yourself.” He cast her a sidelong glance.

“How’d you guess?”

The bedroom was no better. A stained Tee shirt accompanied one sneaker on the floor by the closet. A thin bookcase held a smattering of worn paperbacks.

“Look!” Rennie pointed.

Tim bent down and picked up a small gray notebook. “I’ll be damned. It looks like an address book.”     

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