Popped

by Carol Higgins Clark

  A fter they got back to the Fuzzy Dice Hotel, Regan went up to her room to get ready for the evening. She had about an hour and a half free and decided to take a bath. The tub was a good place to relax and think.

  The hotel bathtub was nothing to brag about, but at least it held enough comforting warm water for Regan to enjoy a good soak. She turned on the faucets, filled the tub as high as she dared, and then gingerly stepped in. It was just the right temperature. Resting her head back against a scrunched-up towel, Regan closed her eyes. It felt a little like she was floating. Like in a hot air balloon, she thought.

  Reviewing the events of the day, Regan was grateful that there had been no thefts, threatening letters, or people falling on the floor. She was also grateful that Elsa came back safely. Maddy and Shep’s report of mysterious goings-on at the 7’s Hotel was the new glitch.

  Regan thought about the three couples on Danny’s show. She didn’t trust any of them. Barney and Elsa were certainly getting the lion’s share of the attention. Were they for real? The dramatic way Elsa straggled back today and the condition she was in. Barney seeming so ecstatic to see her. And why did she use the word “telly”? That was a British word. There was something else she said today. What was it? Regan couldn’t remember.

  Chip and Vicky looked more like brother and sister than husband and wife. They were both tall and dark-haired, and their faces were similar. He was a character, though—an outdoorsman. Today when they doled out bowls of Heartburn’s famous chili, Chip took his serving and walked over to a quiet corner of the studio. He was about to take a seat on the floor, but one dirty look from Vicky and he straightened up. I guess he can’t help himself, Regan thought. He’d rather be camping.

  And then there were Suzette and Bill. Suzette seemed a little crazed today, clearly unhappy with her fellow contestants Barney and Elsa. When the group came outside the studio to ride back to the hotel, Suzette ran into the field to do a few cartwheels. “It’s the way I relieve stress,” she explained. “There are few things that excite me as much as the sight of acres of grass. It’s like a big gymnasium to me.” Skinny Bill tried to look happy as his wife proceeded to do three back flips in a row. “Can you imagine how lucky I am,” he sputtered, “to have a wife in her forties who can throw her body around like a teenager?”

  Sam recorded it all.

  Maybe Suzette and Chip would be better suited to each other, Regan thought. The ground beckons them both.

  Next, Regan considered Aunt Agony and Uncle Heartburn. They had spent the day smiling and cajoling the contestants. Would anyone try to bribe them? Regan wondered. She thought it was unlikely. Agony and Heartburn have enough to hide. The last thing they need is for the world to learn they took a bribe from contestants on the show.

  The contestants on Love Above Sea Level are all vying for the same prize, and naturally it’s causing a lot of stress. Tonight we meet the big competition—the sitcom crowd. I wonder how that will play out. Roscoe must love this, Regan realized.

  The phone in the bedroom rang. Regan groaned. Nothing worse than getting out of the tub before you’re psychologically prepared. It figures that this hotel wouldn’t have phones in the bathroom. She stood up and grabbed a towel, wrapped it around herself, hurried into the bedroom, and grabbed the phone. “Hello.”

  “Regan, it’s your Aunt Agony.”

  My Aunt Agony, Regan thought. That’s a good one. “Hi, there,” she replied as she dripped on the floor.

  “I have some bad news,” Agony announced solemnly. “Heartburn and I are going to have to quit the show.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Someone slipped a threatening note under our door.”

  Here we go, Regan thought.

  “It said that if we go on with this show, there will be trouble in our future.”

  “What kind of trouble?”

  “It doesn’t say.”

  “It doesn’t mention Heartburn’s problems?”

  “No.”

  “Agony, there’s going to be trouble in your future if you don’t go through with the show.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you’ll create more suspicion by suddenly dropping out. Because you’ve made a commitment to Danny. Because the media exposure is supposed to help you and Heartburn book more public appearances that will enable you to pay back Danny’s parents. Let me ask you something.”

  “What?”

  “Would you stop writing your column if someone said you’d have trouble if you continued giving advice?”

  “Lord, no.”

  “This is no different. You can’t back out. This is very important to Danny. He didn’t want to say anything, but yesterday he received a threatening note. Someone doesn’t want Love Above Sea Level to succeed. And whoever it is is trying to scare people.”

  “Danny got a threatening note, too?” Agony asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Oh, good. That makes me feel so much better.”

  This from an advice columnist, Regan thought. “I’ll stop by and pick up the note in a few minutes. I’d like to compare it to the one Danny received,” Regan explained. “Have you talked to him?”

  “His line is busy.”

  “I’ll let him know.”

  “Thank you, Regan. You give such good advice. Maybe we should have you help us pick the winning couple.”

  “That’s okay. We’ll leave that to you two. After all, you’re the experts.” Regan’s voice croaked out those last few words.

  When she hung up the phone, Regan stood in place for a minute. Who is sending these notes? she wondered. Instinct told her it wasn’t Roscoe. He wouldn’t do anything to make one of the shows collapse entirely.

  Could it be the trusty adviser Victor or surfer Sam? She intended to keep a close eye on them both tonight. And on the sitcom crew. Who knew what they could be plotting?

  56

  B ubbles checked her image in the mirror. I look pretty good, she thought. She was dressed in black leather pants and a rust top that looked terrific with her red hair. The tough, acerbic demeanor she portrayed onstage came through a little too much in real life, and she did her best to try to soften it. These days it wasn’t easy. She’d just gotten off the phone with her boyfriend. He’d left another note.

  “I don’t know whether it’ll do any good,” he cautioned.

  “I just wish you knew why they had that meeting this morning in Danny’s room.”

  “I told you. They kicked us out. I have no idea.”

  As Bubbles left her room to join the others in the lobby, James was coming down the hall, looking especially chipper. His clothes were still of the drab and depressing variety, but there was something about his expression.

  “You look happy,” Bubbles remarked.

  “I love parties.”

  “Me, too,” Bubbles muttered.

  Downstairs, the Take Me Higher group gathered.

  “This is getting to feel like a tour group,” Pilot Pete remarked. “I went on one of those group vacations once and absolutely hated it.”

  “You’re an actor,” Grandma scolded. “You should have used the opportunity to observe human nature.”

  “I’ve had enough of human nature,” Pete told her. “And I’ve won plenty of acting awards. I know my craft.”

  “You’ve won awards?” James asked with awe. “Which ones?”

  “They were back when I was in college,” Pete replied curtly. “Have you won any acting awards?” he asked dismissively.

  “No, I haven’t,” James replied. “But I have my fingers crossed.” He held up his hand with, sure enough, two fingers wrapped around each other. “My teacher told me I have what it takes.”

  “Let’s not quibble, please,” Bubbles requested. “Let’s put on a united front for Roscoe. We have to show him that we’re the ones who will put on a good program, week in and week out. He has to recognize that we’re easy to work with.”

  Grandma waved her hand. “I’v
e worked with some of the biggest jerks in Hollywood. It gets on your nerves. This group seems as if it’d be pretty good as a unit, all things considered.”

  “Thanks, Grandma,” Bubbles said wryly. “Now let’s get going.” As the group walked out to the van, Pete leaned over and whispered in Bubbles’s ear. “When we get there, are you going to tell me which guy is your boyfriend?”

  Bubbles shuddered. Pete’s breath was hot, and the tone of his voice was positively creepy. She looked up at him. He was grinning down at her like a maniac.

  “He’s not going to be there,” she lied.

  “I don’t believe you,” Pete countered. Then he started laughing that horror movie laugh. “Wha ha ha ha ha. I don’t believe you for one minute. Wha ha ha.”

  If this show doesn’t work out, I’m quitting the business, Bubbles promised herself. Either that or I’ll lose my mind.

  “Wha ha ha ha,” Pete continued as he took his seat in the van.

  “What’s so funny?” Grandma demanded.

  “Bubbles. She cracks me up.”

  “You sound like you’re cracking up,” Grandma observed.

  Not before Friday, Bubbles prayed. Please. Not before Friday.

  57

  R egan rang the bell of Danny’s suite. As soon as he answered, Danny could tell by the expression on Regan’s face that all was not well.

  “What now?” he asked.

  “You look like you’re the young Hollywood producer ready for lunch at Spago’s,” Regan replied, ignoring his question and noticing his khaki pants and blue blazer.

  “I’ll be lucky if I can afford to eat at the hot dog stand on the corner when this is all through,” Danny answered. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

  “Heartburn and Agony got a threatening note under their door.”

  Danny threw up his hands. “What?!”

  “Agony threatened to quit the show, but I talked her into staying.” She pulled the note out of her purse.

  “I knew there was a reason I hired you, Regan,” Danny said appreciatively as he took the note from her and unfolded it. “It’s different handwriting from the last one.”

  “I know, but it’s similar. They’re both on plain white paper. This one is big black lettering. The last one was big red lettering. They both have a lot of exclamation points.”

  Danny read aloud:

  Dear Agony and Heartburn,

  There will be trouble in your future if you continue with Love Above Sea Level!!! Quit now!!!

  “Well,” Danny noted. “It gets to the point.”

  “I’ve got to tell you something, Danny. I have my suspicions that this is the work of either Victor or Sam.”

  “Why?”

  “You called me because you thought there was someone working for you who was trying to sabotage the show. Those two have the most access. Neither one of them wanted to leave today when your parents and Agony and Heartburn were in the room. They both knew something was up. Whoever wrote the note probably thought it was a safe bet to target Agony and Heartburn. They also knew which room they were in.”

  “Roscoe does own this hotel,” Danny reminded Regan.

  “I don’t think he’d try to completely ruin your show. If Agony and Heartburn quit, what would you do? The show couldn’t go on.”

  “So what do we do?”

  “Just be careful. We’ll go to Roscoe’s and mingle and watch everybody.”

  “Well, at least there’s nothing new from my mother this afternoon,” Danny remarked as he folded up the letter and handed it back to Regan.

  “She has the whole evening ahead of her.”

  Danny laughed. “Thanks, Regan. Something else for me to worry about.”

  58

  T he two Balloon Channel vans pulled up, one behind the other, in Roscoe’s driveway. The driver of the first vehicle, which held Bubbles and the gang, pressed in a code, and the gates swung open. The vehicles continued to the end of a long driveway and came to a halt.

  Both groups got out and looked at one another warily.

  Bubbles and Danny, the only two who knew one another, walked toward each other to shake hands.

  “Hello, Bubbles.” Danny put out his hand.

  “Hello, Danny.”

  No other introductions were made. Everyone meandered to the backyard where country music was playing softly from several speakers. The two groups stayed far apart, just like the Hatfields and McCoys.

  “Greetings,” Roscoe cried as he jumped up from his seat in the gazebo and ran over to join his guests. “Team A and Team B are here together!”

  “Who’s Team A and who’s Team B?” Bubbles asked.

  “I haven’t decided yet,” he said jovially. “But I want you all to meet one another. We need to break the ice. Grab a drink and come sit around the campfire. I’d like everyone to introduce themselves.”

  Danny got Regan a glass of wine, and they walked together to the “campsite.” They sat down on the rocks, and Regan looked around at all the others. Chip looked absolutely thrilled. He was sitting on the ground, and it was actually encouraged. He should apply for a job with Roscoe after this competition, Regan thought.

  It was a beautiful desert evening. The sky was streaked with color, and the air was crisp and clear. If it weren’t for the circumstances, this could be a great party, Regan thought. She wished Jack were there. For a lot of reasons. He could certainly help her scope things out.

  “Now,” Roscoe began, standing in the center of the group near the unlit campfire. “We’re going to go around the circle and introduce ourselves, first names only, and then tell everyone what the heck you’re doing here.” He laughed. “I am Roscoe, and I’m looking forward to a great show on Friday night.”

  “I’m Kitty, and I’m a friend of Roscoe’s.”

  “I’m Kimberly, and me and my brand-new husband, Jake, met Roscoe and Kitty this morning on the balloon, and he invited us to be on his sitcom. It’s so amazing!”

  “And I’m Jake.”

  New additions to the sitcom, Regan observed. Interesting.

  “I’m Erene, and I work for Roscoe.”

  “I’m Leo, and I work for Roscoe.”

  This is like a bad group therapy session, Regan thought. No one’s offering much information. When it was Regan’s turn to introduce herself she offered, “I’m Regan, and I’m a friend of Danny’s.”

  “A friend?” Roscoe repeated questioningly, his eyebrows raised.

  “Yes. A friend.”

  “It’s good to have friends,” Roscoe commented.

  Regan took particular interest as those who worked on the sitcom introduced themselves. Bubbles and Pete were the two she had seen the other night at the bar. What was her plan? Regan wondered. Could Bubbles possibly be in cahoots with someone from our group? Like Victor or Sam?

  When the introductions were finished, Roscoe cleared his throat and looked around at everyone. “Well, that was easy. I just wanted to get you started. Now enjoy the party.” He turned toward Regan and Danny. “Why don’t you come and sit with me and Kitty for a few minutes?”

  “Sure,” Danny said, accepting the invitation.

  They went over to the gazebo, and the new young couple joined them. “Are we invited?” Kimberly asked.

  “Take a load off,” Roscoe said.

  “You two got lucky, huh?” Regan commented.

  “Yes.”

  “Where do you live?”

  “Los Angeles,” Jake answered quickly.

  “Can you believe these two are only twenty-one?” Roscoe asked.

  No, Regan thought. They look older than that. I know actors lie about their age, but these two are mid-twenties at the very least. Maybe from a distance they look twenty-one.

  “They just got married last night at the Graceland Wedding Chapel.”

  “You did?” Regan asked. “Congratulations.”

  “Thank you,” they both murmured.

  “And now you have an acting job.”

  “Yes.�
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  “Married life is getting off to a good start.”

  “It is,” Kimberly agreed. “What do you do, Regan?”

  There is just something about the way she said that, Regan observed. It didn’t sound quite as casual as she might have intended.

  “I’ve done a lot of different kinds of work,” she answered honestly. “Now I’m really interested in the whole reality show business.”

  “She’s helping me out,” Danny piped up.

  “Roscoe, you certainly have a lot going on,” Regan commented.

  “I’m interested in a lot of different things. Problem is, I get bored easily. So I’m always onto something new.”

  “What kind of things are you interested in?”

  “You name it.”

  Regan realized that he was not about to open up.

  Roscoe turned to Kitty. “I think we’d better say hello to some of our other guests.”

  “Yes, let’s mingle,” Kitty agreed.

  They got up and left. Just like that. They walked over to Erene and Leo who were standing together.

  “How’s your show going?” Jake asked Danny.

  “Just fine.”

  “We hear you’re picking a couple to renew their vows. That’s so great.”

  Regan wanted to get a look inside the house. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be right back.”

  “Sure, Regan.”

  Regan asked one of the caterers where the ladies’ room was and wandered into the large kitchen and down a hallway. She passed a wood-paneled den with red leather furniture that had a lot of pictures hanging on the wall. She paused and stepped inside. It was quiet and dimly lit. Gazing up, Regan saw Roscoe posing with a host of celebrities: Liberace, Merv Griffin, Wayne Newton, Alan Funt, Desi Arnaz, Dean Martin, Chevy Chase, Rita Rudner, Jerry Seinfeld, Céline Dion. As a matter of fact, the only pictures of Roscoe not posing with a celebrity were ones of him waving from a balloon.

  “Do you like my photo collection?” a voice behind Regan asked.

  Regan spun around. Roscoe was standing in the doorway. “They’re fun. You certainly get around.”

  “And you’re a curious girl. I can tell.”