Power Play by Deirdre Martin Read Free Book Online Page A

Gloria hated Monty; they had acted together for years, and she thought he was a pretentious ass. Monica always suspected they had some sort of sexual liaison that ended badly.
    â€œI think he and James had some kind of falling-out years ago,” said Monica.
    â€œI’m not surprised,” said Gloria. “Well, if you see him, tell him I hope he ends up with Alzheimer’s and covered in shingles.”
    â€œWill do.”
    A new guilt swept over Monica. She hadn’t visited Monty in a while. She made a mental note to pop in and see him on Sunday, the one day she let herself relax.
    â€œChesty starts next week,” Gloria noted.
    â€œI know,” said Monica, slipping into one of the stalls to pee. She heard the bathroom door open. Seconds later, a woman’s head appeared beneath the stall door. “What the hell—?!” Monica shrieked, covering herself up.
    â€œMiss Geary, I’m your biggest fan,” the woman said breathlessly, trying to crawl forward.
    On the other side of the door, Monica heard Gloria inhale sharply. “Dear God !”
    Monica stared down at the woman in horror. “Do you mind?!”
    The woman seemed surprised by her request. “Oh, sorry.” The woman slid back out on her belly.
    Shaking, Monica yanked her panties and stockings back up and smoothed her dress back down. How the hell did this lunatic get into the Met?! How did she even know Monica was here ? She knew she had some hard-core and flaky fans—like the one who sent her cookies that were supposed to look like her, or the one in the process of having plastic surgery to look like Monica—but this took the cake. There was no way Monica was coming out of the stall. No way.
    â€œCan I have your autograph?” the woman asked.
    â€œNot right now.”
    â€œI have a pen and a picture of you,” the woman persisted.
    Monica leaned her head against the stall door. Jesus help me. Well, this is what you wanted, right? she chided herself. To be prominent in the public eye? Not like this, though. Not while she was trying to pee .
    â€œFine,” Monica said wearily. “Hand them to me under the stall.”
    â€œOkay,” said the fan, sounding disappointed.
    Monica bent down and snatched the Sharpie and picture of herself from the fan’s pudgy hands. It was a glossy black-and-white photo, the standard studio PR pic.
    â€œWhat’s your name?” Monica asked.
    â€œJudy.”
    Dear Judy, Good luck with your electroshock therapy treatments, Monica Geary.
    That was what she wanted to write. What she did write was, “ To Judy, All Best, Monica Geary. ” She passed it back out to Judy.
    â€œWow, thanks,” said Judy.
    â€œYoung lady,” Monica heard Gloria say sternly. “Do not ever, ever do this to anyone you’re a fan of again. Do you hear me? It is rude, and it gives all fans a bad reputation. Now go, before I notify security of this breach.” Monica could picture her pointing to the door dramatically.
    Monica waited until she heard the bathroom door swing shut, then ventured out of the stall. Gloria was wide-eyed, her hand clutching her crepey throat. “Horrifying,” Gloria whispered. “Are you all right?”
    â€œA little shaken up, but fine.” She looked at herself in the mirror. The color had drained from her face, making her look like the world’s only blonde Kabuki actor. “I feel like leaving.”
    â€œSo go,” Gloria urged. “Things will be winding up soon, anyway. Take your blond-haired, blue-eyed stud home and let him calm you.”
    Monica flashed back to the dream she’d had about Eric. Shut up and fuck me. Heat wound through her. She wished she could be that woman, the uninhibited one in her dreams. But she wasn’t. Not only was she not big on one-night stands, but she could also be a little uptight when it came to sex, perhaps even a wee bit puritanical. She