Marly arrived at the Cory Mansion, carrying a cardboard box.

"I've brought all my photos of the orphanage." she said, "I'm sure you can find some that will be perfect illustrations for the article in BRAVA."

Just then, Rachel came downstairs.

"How do I look?" she said.

"Is that a new outfit?" said Amanda.

"Yes. Do you like it?"

"It's - very nice. Are you going somewhere?"

"Yes." said Rachel, "You and Matthew keep telling me that I should get out of the house more."

"Well, yes, but - where are you going?"

Rachel raised her eyebrows. "I wasn't aware that I'm supposed to check with you before leaving the house."

"Of course you're not!" said Amanda, "But - why can't you just tell me where you're going? Is it some big secret?"

"No, Amanda, it's not a secret. If you must know, I'm having lunch with Mr Akageno."

" I'll go with you."

"We don't require a chaperone," said Rachel, "Besides, you're busy."

"Nothing that can't wait." said Amanda, "Marly can leave the photos, and I can look at them later."

"There's no time like the present." said Rachel, opening the front door. "And three is a crowd."

****

"So, Amanda doesn't like her mother spending time with Cory Publishing's new investor." said Stark.

"That spoiled bitch just doesn't want Rachel paying attention to anyone but her." said Marly, "Now, about that help you promised me -"

Stark gave her a ring. "When you put this on your finger, you will assume the appearance of your sister Vicky." he said, "It's a one-time-only spell, so use it wisely. The effect will last for one hour, or until you take the ring off, whichever comes first."

"This time, I'll make it work!" said Marly.

****

A short time later, Marly showed up at the door of Vicky's cottage, with a potted plant.

"I thought I'd bring Donna a housewarming present." she said, "Just to prove that there are no hard feelings about her not wanting to live with me."

"That's very thoughtful, Darling." said Donna.

"It's really cold out today." said Marly, "I'd just love a cup of tea!"

"I don't have any tea." said Vicky, "Just coffee."

"I brought my own." said Marly, taking a package out of her purse, "It's what I used to drink in China."

"That would be lovely." said Donna.

"N-" Vicky started to say 'None for me', since she didn't like tea. but Donna grimaced at her.

"I'll put the kettle on." said Marly, and headed for the kitchen.

"I hate tea!" Vicky whispered, as soon as her sister was out of the room.

"I know, but , if Marly is making a friendly gesture, we should at least try to meet her halfway. " said Donna, "One cup of tea won't kill you."

While the kettle was boiling, Marly prepared the cups, adding powdered sleeping pills to two of them.

"One for you, Donna, and two for you, Vicky." she murmured.

****

Meanwhile, Matthew had mastered the art of changing diapers.

"There!" he said, "Daddy's girl is all clean and dry."

"Yo' a wonderful daddy, Matt." said Lila, as the doorbell rang."Ah'll answer it."

As she headed for the foyer, she glanced at the clock. Right on time.

"Hello Cass."

"Lila! You wanted to see me?"

"Yes." said Lila, "Ah wawnted to tell you that - Ah have decided to accept yo' proposal of marriage."

"Lila!" Cass swept her into his arms; they kissed passionately.

"What's going on here?" said Matthew, entering from the living room.

"We're engaged!"

****

"Strictly speaking, you shouldn't put milk or sugar into Chinese tea." said Marly, bringing in the tray, "But I brought them anyway."

"Thank you, Darling." said Donna.

Marly handed around the cups. "Well, "she said, "Here's to - getting what you want."

"I'll drink to that." said Donna, and did.

Marly watched like a hawk as Vicky raised the cup to her lips. "I think there are some cookies in the cupboard above the sink." she said, lowering it again.

"I'll go look." said Marly.

As soon as Marly back was turned, Vicky poured the tea into the potted plant.

"You've probably killed it." said Donna.

"They always die on me anyway." shrugged Vicky.

"I can't find any cookies." said Marly, coming back.

"The boys must have eaten them." said Vicky. She raised the empty cup to her lips and pretended to drink. Marly smiled.

****

"Oh Cass! Whut a beautiful diamond!" squealed Lila.

"I just wish I could give you the Koh-i-noor." said Cass, putting it onto her finger.

"Let's get married right away!" she said.

"The sooner the better!" he said. They kissed passionately.

"What's the hurry?" said Matthew, "Do you really think rushing into marriage is a good idea?"

"The sooner Jasmine and Ah are out of this house, the sooner you can marry Sofia." Lila said, "You know she doesn't want us livin' here."

"Yeah, but - "

"It's best fo' everyone. You'll have Sofia, Ah'll have Cass, and Jasmine - Jasmine will have a real home, with a mothah and a fathuh -"

"Jasmine already HAS a father." said Matthew.

"Yes, of coahse she does." said Lila, "And when Ah'm married to Cass, you kin see Jasmine - every week. All day Satuhday, iffen you laik."

"Saturday?" said Matthew, "That's it?"

"We'll work it out." said Cass. "Where would you like to go on our honeymoon, Lila?"

They kissed again, while Matthew ground his teeth.

****

Donna started yawning. "Oh! I don't know what's the matter with me. Oh! I can't keep my eyes open."

"Why don't you take a nap?" said Vicky, "Oh! Now I'm doing it."

Marly could hardly contain her glee. By the time Jake got home, they'd be fast asleep.

"Good -Oh! - idea." said Donna, and wheeled herself into her bedroom, which was located just off the living room.

"Well," said Vicky, "I've got things to do. Maybe we should have dinner later this week."

Vicky headed upstairs. Marly cleared away the tea tray, then heard a car pulling into the driveway.

"Jake! Just in time." said Marly, and put the ring on her finger.

As soon as Jake entered the house, 'Vicky' grabbed him. "Oh Jake! I"m so glad you're home!"

She kissed him passionately. "Is this another one of your games?" he said., when they came up for air.

" It's no game, Jake." she said, "I love you and I want you! Let me show you just how much!"

She stepped away, and started unbuttoning her blouse, very slowly.

"Now it's your turn." she said, and began to unbutton his shirt.

"Oh, Baby -!"

They almost didn't hear the THUD coming from Donna's bedroom. Then - "Victoria!" Donna called, "I fell out of bed. I can't get up. Help!"

"This will only take a minute," said Marly, quickly doing up her blouse, "When I get back - I want you naked!" She headed for Donna's room.

"All right!" Jake started dancing around the living room.

"I'm too sexy for my shirt -" Jake took it off and slung it across the room, "I'm so sexy that it hurts!" He unbucked his belt "I'm too sexy for the floor," He took off his shoes, " I'm too sexy for the door -" He dropped his pants -

"Hi Jake." said Vicky, coming down the stairs, in her bathrobe."What are you doing?"

"What do you mean? I was upstairs, and now I'm coming downstairs."

"But you - you just went into Donna's room!"

"No, I didn't!"

"Hi Jake." she said, as she entered the living room.

"Marly? " said Jake, "What are you doing there?"

"Donna fell, and I was helping her." said Marly, "You already know that."

"But - it was Vicky who went to help Donna." said Jake.

"No, I didn't." said Vicky,"I was taking a shower."

"I"d better be going." said Marly, grabbing her coat.

"Something weird is going on here!" said Jake.