Mrs. Georgina received her desired mail the next day. After her husband had left, she eagerly read through the contents. One was the letter from Parker and the extraordinary words he had written.

Enclosed here are two appointments, to a dress shop, and a saloon. Avail their services, and do not be hesitant. After that, please join me at the Rizon Restaurant, 4 p.m. for lunch and further instructions.

She visited the dressmaker, first, as it was closer. The ladies there took measurements, gossiped, and gossiped about latest trends in colors and fashion. When she left, she was armed with a plethora of bags and great insight on which what she was missing out.

The next stop was the hairdresser, and that too was unexpectedly pleasant. A Mr. Claude Jean James, the owner of the establishment himself, (and strikingly handsome), led her by the hand to her seat for the full course, what she had signed up for.

Her face was molded and kneaded and steamed. Mud was applied to it, along with the cream. As were cucumber slices, and various fruity essences. He then massaged her gently, whispering in her ear. Such neglect, but why, mademoiselle? This shouldn't have happened at all. It is lucky that you arrived now, it isn't too late yet. The beauty can still be preserved. Her hair was soaked, washed, brushed, and braided by his soft hands. The layers were removed and washed away. Her eyebrows were plucked, and then the makeup was applied. Even then it was not over. The finishing touches took another half-an-hour.

Then they handed her the mirror. It was a completely different woman who stared back. She couldn't believe her eyes, and her tears nearly ruined it all again. She looked ten, no, at least twenty years younger, and even more beautiful than possible. She thanked the man profusely, but Mr. Claude demurely smiled and said, "Madame, believe me, the pleasure was all mine." She left the store blushing, thinking of how forward he behaved with her...

Checking her watch, she found it to be a quarter past three. She would make it comfortably in time. What was Parker going to ask of her next?

"Mademoiselle!" Someone called out behind her. "Please wait!" She turned and saw Claude dashing down the street. "You forgot this." He stopped in front of her and handed her a bag. "Oh, thank you." She blushed. What was wrong with her?

"Madam, you are too kind." He smiled gracefully, creases appearing around his black eyes. "It is our civic responsibility, is it not?"

"Yes, but even so," She tried to find the right words. "I should have been more careful."

"Please madam, you are only human," He paused. "Even if I mistake you for an angel." She blushed at his compliment. "May I enquire if madam is off to meet her beau?"

"Well, no, but, the thing is, " She was flustered by the sudden implication. "I'm married." She lamely finished.

"Indeed, madame, that is evident by your ring," He replied. "But if you are meeting with a stranger, please let me accompany you. The city is safe, but even then, safety is paramount."

She considered his offer. Parker seemed truthful and good natured enough, but who really knew? And besides, she had told no one else back in town. How could she? So if something really happened to her, none would be wiser. "Alright, but only this meeting." She warned him.

On the way, she vaguely briefed him on what had happened. A sympathetic stranger, she found, was more genuine with her than all her so called friends. He empathized with her plight, was suitably skeptic when she mentioned Parker, and on the whole was generally supportive of her decision.

"It's good to be cautious, though." He murmured. "There are scammers everywhere these days."

When she reached the restaurant, she found Parker seated at one of the tables, waiting for her. "Ah, you brought a companion. That's good." He signaled the waiter to add another chair. "Let's talk business after lunch, shall we?"

The food was delicious and the company pleasant. The conversation was lively, with Parker and Claude engaging in heart conversation about the fishes of New York and Paris. She joined in too and then listened attentively.

After the dessert remains were taken away, Parker clasped his hands again. "Well, Mrs. Georgina, you must be wondering what today what was all about?"

"Well, yes, slightly."

"Let me put it frankly, then, madam. Your unhappiness stems from the staleness in your marriage. Your drab routine and non-assuming persona have made your husband take you for granted, madam, and that can't be allowed to continue. He must be made to sit up, you understand, and notice you. Only then will the scales fall from his eyes and he will realize the truth. Only then will you get the happiness you deserve."

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"So what should I do now?" She asked.

"Simple. You are competing with a young woman, therefore, you need to do everything she does. Your husband must be made to feel jealous, and see the hypocrisy of his actions." He stated.

"Everything she does?" She questioned. "But what will the others think?"

"That are you a modern couple, free of the traditional roles." He countered. "The best way to dispel the rumors and your own supposed personal lack, madam, is to confront it directly."

"But," Doubts still remained in her mind. "Isn't it wrong?"

"Your husband complains about jealous women, and how they are wrong," he said calmly. "Should we not put him to a small test, and see how he fares?"

She nearly replied that jealously didn't matter, but wisely refrained. "Wait," She could see the reasoning behind his idea, and it made sense to her. But some part of her was still reluctant. "I don't know anything about what young people do, and if I go out there, I would simply make a fool of myself." She explained.

"Take your companion, madame." Parker clasped the shoulders of Claude as he rose. "I am sure he will be happy to help."

She was taken by surprise, and so was Claude. But he was the one to recover first. "If you'll accept me, madam," He slightly bowed his head and continued. "I will be highly delighted." The dark eyes looked pleadingly at her. She didn't have any single male friends, and going with other women would be embarrassing. She acquiesced with a nod of her head.

"Then it's settled." Parker jovially remarked. "I will leave it to you two to set the details, but if you have any problems, Mrs. Georgina, you can call me." He looked over them once, and nodding satisfactorily, walked away.

She and Claude talked for a while, awkwardly in the beginning, but it soon changed. He inquired what drinks she preferred. She replied that she had never had a cocktail or anything of the sort. They decided to head to a smaller establishment at first, the "Greater Good" to wet her feet in the so called night life. They exchanged numbers, although she was careful not to give her address. After exchanging pleasantries, they left in their respective ways, she a great deal happier than when the day had begun.

Reaching home, Georgina anticipated Marshall's reaction to her new look and worried over how to break the news of the sudden appointment. He came in late, as usual, and spoke the few words he usually did, before unceremoniously heading for the bed. She didn't say a word, but simply hardened her resolve.

She didn't find the way to tell him up until Friday morning when he remarked that he would stay overnight in the city. The situation resolved itself, and the night proved to be a great success. She quickly learned the new steps, and Claude proved to be a great dancer. He complimented her new dress, (she had purchased it just today). When the time came to leave, he kissed her hand and bid her adieu in the most charming manner. It was one of the most memorable nights she'd had in years.

The next fortnight was exhilarating and bewildering at the same time. She spent an inordinately large amount of time with Claude, to the point of surprising even herself. There were dinners, lunches, and even more dates. She heard the tale of Claude's father, and how he had lost him to gambling. She listened to the story of tragic romance, and how embittered he felt towards women. She knew of his dreams to paint and write stories back home in France, and how he was tired of being stuck in New York. After the fortnight, she knew him better than she ever thought she could.

The people noticed, yet, as Parker had said, they didn't have anything actual to talk about. Oh, Susan tried, but the whole group took her side. Some were even interested in joining her. On the whole, it was satisfying to watch as it happened. She couldn't even believe she was afraid of their opinion at one time.

The days passed blissfully, and she didn't want them to end. But they ended anyway. Finally, she was ready. Parker informed her about the whereabouts of her husband and coached her on how to act. Marshall had been frequenting the 'Red Rising', along with that woman. Claude seemed hesitant but agreed when she insisted.

She would never forget his face when he saw her. "Hello, Marshall," she said playfully. His eyes went wide, and face turned various shades of red. There was a surprise, anger, astonishment, and in the end, guilt. She introduced herself to the girl as well, who seemed perplexed as well.

The four of them spent the night together. Poor Marshall, who seemed to grow more uncomfortable as the night passed. And the girl too, she realized, was simply pretending. She was bored out of her mind, and Marshall didn't realize. She pitied her husband in that moment. How desperately he wanted to be young, and how awkward he was.

Her own situation was more enviable. Claude was the epitome of a gentleman, and he never jarred at all, unlike Marshall. He understood her perfectly. She looked at him, their eyes met. He smiled; his dark, soulful, melancholy, romantic, eyes looked tenderly into hers. "Will madame honor me with another dance?" he said, and lead her to the floor.

Marshall must be apoplectic by now. Wasn't the idea was to make him jealous? It seemed so long away now. As they twirled around the floor, slowly, everything else faded, and seemed so inconsequential. She was in heaven. And it was all perfect.

"And everything is proceeding according to plan?" Parker asked.

"Yes." Daniel, or rather Claude as Georgina knew him, replied. "She even told me she loved me last night."

"That's good," Parker noted. "The date isn't far away, so you better prepare the ring."

"But isn't that -" Daniel protested, "going a little too far? I mean, I can understand,-"

"You are an employee, Daniel, and I the boss," Parker smiled, but his eyes were cold, "Please don't question me. Do as I say." He said softly, but his words were sharp.

"Okay."

"Don't go soft now, Daniel," Parker said kindly, his expression changing in an instant. "You might actually like her, but trust me, this is for the best." He patted Dan's shoulder. "She will be happy. We will be happy. Everything will work out."

"If you say so." Daniel tried to hide his disbelief.

"I do say so." Parker must have heard. "Now, here's your pay for the excellent performance so far. You will get the rest when it's over."

He walked out, and alone in his office, Daniel pondered on his orders.