Episode 56: Scene Seven
A devious smile formed on Amber's face as she found her target. Like a panther in the night, she moved stealthily from one point to another, each time getting closer and closer to her destination. Once she reached it and accomplished what she was setting out to do, she would have everything she'd ever wanted: the Miss Midway crown.
It had been pure torture to see Francesca walking around at all of the social events. She'd felt a knife thrust into her heart when Francesca was always the center of attention instead of her. Oh, how harsh and bitter the taste of defeat had been for Amber, but now she was ready to make it all better. She was ready to take it all back.
She smoothed down her denim mini-skirt and brushed back a few loose strands of her silky brown hair before moving in for the kill. "Hello, Mr. Winston. We need to talk."
Tom Winston, announcer of the Miss Midway contest, turned around from the table that he had been about to sit at and faced the smiling young woman. His right eyebrow raised in question. "What do you wish to speak to me about?"
"Well," Amber began, looping one of her arms through Tom's free one, "it's about the Miss Midway contest. I'm sure you remember me."
"I'm sorry, should I?"
A sour expression flashed across Amber's face. "It must be alzheimers," she grumbled.
"What's that?" Tom asked, the effects of old age beginning to catch up with him.
Amber returned to her cheery attitude quickly. "I said you're the best announcer of all times, and I'm just really glad to have the chance to meet you. I mean, it's not everyday you get to see a celebrity."
"A celebrity? I hardly believe you could call me that, miss. Now, if you don't mind me being a bit abrupt, what's the point of this conversation?"
Amber drew her arm out of Tom's and looked up at him with bright eyes. "Mr. Winston, I'm in a bit of a predicament."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. You see, there's been this little mix-up this year involving the entire contest. Since we're getting started a little later this year, we're having to speed things up a bit. The people in charge sent me to tell you that you're going to need to oversee the production of the entire ceremony instead of the ballot counting this year. They want that all ready for when the votes are counted so we can go ahead and go straight to the ceremony."
"I do believe that those in charge would have alerted me and not have sent a little girl to deliver the news," Tom grew suspicious as he continued to eye Amber carefully.
"Oh, I know. But my father's over this program, and I just decided to do him this little favor since he's such a busy man. He also told me to give you a little gift. He said it's a little bonus for all of the hard work you've been doing, and he's sure that you'll continue to listen and do your job effectively," Amber slipped five one-hundred-dollar bills out of her small black purse and placed them into a stunned Tom's hand. She looked up at him and winked. "Remember, it's just a little gift from him to let you know that he appreciates what you're doing, and what you will do. Thanks for your time, Mr. Winston. You can't imagine how much I'm looking forward to this year's Miss Midway contest."