Christmas with Ed and Misty

 

Merry Christmas for Mala

   Mala let out a yelp as she jumped back. How she managed not to scream, she couldn't figure. As she was pulling out a drawer to grab a fresh pair of stockings, a rat had run right up onto the chest of drawers and only inches from her face. She had no weapon handy, but dared not let the rat escape. She had to, though, as the rat ran off and disappeared before she could make her move. It was a mighty uncomfortable thought that the creature was running around the house, but she wasn't in a position to do much about it right now. She finished putting on her uniform and left with the intention of picking up some rat traps. Surely Ed and Misty would want the creature removed as much as Mala did.

   The hardware store in town offered a selection of traps, but Mala was unsure which would work best. She tried not to exaggerate the size of the rat when discussing the matter with the salesman, but she still ended up walking out with some good-sized traps. Not much happened on Saturdays, so Mala decided to take the scenic route back to the Carter house. When she arrived, Ed was just finishing putting up the Christmas tree. Misty sat down to take a look at the placement. 

   "It's perfect," Misty clapped her hands together, "and it'll look just wonderful once we have it decorated!" The rest of the room was already decked out, with tasteful but colorful decorations adorning every door and window. Mala felt a little guilty about showing up so late, feeling she could have been a great help if she'd been on hand. She was rather touched to find that Ed had hung an extra stocking over the fireplace, a stocking with Mala's name beautifully embroidered upon it. Mala blushed at the sight, she was so moved. Ed noticed.

   "You're one of the family now, Mala," he proudly gestured to the stocking, "do you like it?"

   "Oh, it's just wonderful," Mala reached up and removed a tear from her eye, "I feel so guilty about not being here sooner to help you decorate."

   "Don't worry about that. Misty loves to decorate for Christmas. But you can help us trim the tree."

   "Really? When I came to work as your maid, I never expected you'd open your home to me so fully."

   "Like Ed said," Misty stood, "you're a part of our family now, Mala."

   "You have such big hearts," Mala sighed, "I thought I was just the maid." It became clear to Ed and Misty that Mala wasn't used to being treated with such kindness. Not for a long time, at least. In her childhood, Roger was always there. She was on her own by the time he'd come back from the Army, however, and after that she'd fallen into whatever horror it was that was turning the wolves into savages. It had been a long time since Mala felt like she was part of a real family, and she thought her place with the Carters would be that of a domestic only. 

    She quickly learned she wasn't to be just a hired servant, however. Misty always urged her friends to call her by first name, and insisted Mala do so as well. Mala had been given quarters which turned out to be rather more opulent than anything she ever expected. And there was the way Misty treated her. When Misty needed something done, she let Mala know it, but never in the form of an order. Really, Misty had been treating Mala like a sister all along. Misty came from high society, but her breeding never shaded her interaction with Mala. The two girls had spent much time in conversation. They spoke over breakfast, lounging by the pool, and even while Mala went about her duties. Misty had been used to doing her own cleaning for a while, which was her justification for giving Mala a hand whenever they were together. At first, Mala expected things to settle into a normal routine where Misty would fully turn over the chores to Mala. But that hadn't happened. Mala tended to do her cleaning when Misty was at the studio, but somehow, Misty always managed be back home in time to lend a hand.

   "You didn't need a maid," Mala looked at Misty, "just why did you hire me?"

   "I wouldn't say we didn't need a maid," Misty motioned to the room, "this is pretty big place and I wouldn't want to keep cleaning it by myself on weekends when someone could keep it clean for me every day."

   "But you never let me do all the cleaning. You took a big chance, inviting me to live and work here. And you knew what I'd done... I can't figure the motivation."

   "Have a seat, Mala." Ed gestured to the couch. Mala complied.

   "Okay."

   "I was a friend of the Warden, and he told me about the program. We thought it would be a good way to help someone get a leg up."

   "We both thought it would be worth anything to break that smut ring," Misty chimed in, "opening our doors to whoever took that risk seemed entirely worth it. While you were undercover, we told Roger about the program. We wanted him to know, since he and Crissy are such dear friends of ours. They both thought it was a good idea."

   "They did? Even before I was out?"

   "What you were doing was worthy of reward," Ed said, "a second chance. Roger wanted you to get that second chance. So did Crissy. We knew you'd changed after you'd been locked away. We were given full details on you before we were asked to go through with it. We figured our home would be a better environment than the wolf pack."

   "Yes," Mala looked at her feet, "I can never thank you enough for what you've done. And now, to know you think of me as a member of the family... I can't put into words how wonderful I feel." Mala looked up with a smile. Then her eyes caught sight of the rat and she began screaming, much to the confusion of Ed and Misty. Mala pointed to the rat, as it nibbled at the lower branches of the tree. Ed put out his hand to tell both girls to keep still. What he did next was pretty impressive. He reached for the hammer still resting on the mantel, then used it as a missile. His aim was perfect, and the rat was clonked in the head. Ed then finished the job with his foot, stomping down on the dazed rodent and killing the pest.

   Now able to catch her breath, Mala broke another smile. "I don't have to clean that up, do I?"

   "I'm not touching it!" Misty playfully insisted. Ed rolled his eyes and smiled before stooping down to wrap some newspaper around the dead rat. Fortunately, he'd laid some down to catch the needles before setting up the tree.

   "These things usually come in waves," Ed noted, "we'll need to set out some traps." Mala grinned as she scooped up the bag of traps she'd purchased earlier.

   "Well, looks like we got the perfect Christmas present from Mala, Ed!"

   "That's actually something I've been having trouble with," Mala admitted, "what can I possibly get for you two that you don't have already. What I do have for you seems sorta silly, after what you've told me just now. But the one thing I got sorta good at over the years was wood carving. You can buy anything you want, so I figured maybe I could make something you wouldn't think of buying for yourself."

   "I admit you have us intrigued," Ed said as he put his arm around Misty, "I didn't know you did wood carvings." Mala sat silently for a second, then walked up the stairs. A few minutes later, she came down carrying a cardboard box.

   "I'm going to go ahead and give these to you now," Mala said, "if it's not your cup of tea, I still have time to find something better. I haven't been here long enough to really know your tastes, apart from what I can glean from the rest of the stuff in the house." Ed and Misty stood by as Mala set the box on the couch and then pulled out of it two very beautiful carvings. For Ed was a soap dish shaped like a clam shell decorated with a Navy anchor. To Misty was given a soap dish shaped like her string of pearls resting over a small round pillow. Mala was embarrassed, thinking the bobbles worthless and crude. What Ed and Misty could see was personalized, beautifully crafted, and demonstrative of Mala's hidden talents. Misty was so touched that she sniffed back a tear as she hugged Mala in thanks. Mala was actually a bit surprised. "You like them? You really like them?" Ed nodded and smiled as he held up his dish for close inspection.

   "Oh, Mala," Misty admired her soap dish, "these are absolutely beautiful! Merry Christmas!"

   "Merry Christmas. And thank you, for everything." Mala then screamed as she saw another rat.   

Beat of the Jungle

   Crissy stepped out from behind the curtain, dressed in a sarong in the Dorothy Lamour tradition. Roger had been true to his word, and had built for Crissy a jungle hut on their property. It was an exceptionally nice hut, too, with running water and electricity. Once Crissy had lived out her childhood dream, the hut would make a novel guest house. For this first night, though, Crissy was going to do the whole bit. She slinked over to Roger as he looked on appreciatively. No cinematic jungle queen ever looked as cute as Crissy did. Roger chuckled as he considered her ivory complexion.

   "I've heard of white jungle goddesses," he mused, "but this is the first time I've actually seen one."

   "You've been a most loyal subject," Crissy giggled as she positioned a large flower in her hair before moving closer and resting her hands on Roger's chest, "but a queen is nothing without her king." Crissy wrapped her arms around Roger's neck. He bent down to kiss her. Everything was perfect for Crissy's desires. Even the view out the large window looked like sunset over a lush African jungle. More fitting was the sudden sound of native drums, something which took both of them by surprise. Crissy ran to the window and scanned the horizon before turning back to Roger.

   "You really went all out, didn't you?"

   "I wish I could take credit for it," Roger leaned out the window, "it's a great touch. But I didn't have anything to do with it."

   "You didn't? Then who's doing the drumming?"

   "I have no clue. Someone must've found out about this project and decided to pull a gag."

   "I wonder who."

   "Sounds like it's coming from over that rise in the distance, across the river." 

   "Do we wait for them to tell us who they are, or do we go over and find them?"

   "Well," Roger turned to Crissy and smiled, "if you want to go all the way with this jungle theme, a safari would be appropriate." Crissy grinned. She was like a child again, playing in the back yard with her friends. Roger extended his hand.

   "Come on, Tondelayo." He joked. Crissy jumped with delight and made a light squeak as she followed Roger out the door. Roger was willing to play along to the hilt. The materials used to make the hut were so many as to leave a stack of logs stacked up behind the building. Roger lashed the logs together and built a raft in short order. The drumming continued the whole time. Roger pushed the raft into the river as Crissy grabbed a couple of long poles and jumped onto the craft. For such a quick and crude model, it was a pretty sturdy raft. Roger climbed aboard and took one of the poles to shove off.

   By now it was fully nightfall. Roger and Crissy made their way across the river as the sounds of the drums continued. The stars above them were breathtaking, but all Roger could watch was Crissy's excited expression and posture. It was like a seeing a child who lived and breathed cowboys finally getting to explore a real wild west ranch. 

   It didn't take long to cross the river. Roger beached the raft and then examined the two poles before handing one to Crissy. The pair then marched into the jungle in the direction of the increasingly audible drumming. Using the poles to push back the brush, Roger and Crissy soon came to a clearing before a rise. Over the rise was visible the light of a camp fire. Roger crouched low as he made his way up the rise. Crissy stuck close. The two spread flat just at the top of the rise and peeked over.

   Across from the rise was a clearing where a campfire burned. Before the fire was Ed Carter, dressed as a native and beating away at some native drums borrowed from the prop department of the movie studio. Dancing around the fire was Ed's wife Misty, dressed in a grass skirt and waving a spear. Roger and Crissy stood, allowing Misty to see them. Misty stopped dancing, prompting Ed to finish his drumming. Ed rubbed his arms. Misty took a noble posture and raised the spear. Roger raised his arm.

   "We come in peace!" Roger called. Crissy was having the greatest time.

   "We accept you in peace," Misty planted the spear in the ground before her feet, "be welcome!" All of them dropped the explorer act as Roger and Crissy ran down to greet their friends.

   "A bit early for halloween, isn't it?" Roger joked. Ed stood to greet him.

   "You build a jungle hut in a place like this," Ed explained, "it's not going to remain much of a secret." Roger and Ed shook hands as the girls gave each other a hug. 

   "I think it's great," Roger said, "you've made Crissy's day."

   "Just how long were you two going to wait for us to show up?" Crissy asked.

   "About five more minutes," Ed rubbed the muscle of his arm, "that's about all I had left in me."

   "Where'd you learn that jungle beat?" Roger asked.

   "I was stationed in the Pacific," Ed explained, "but I heard that music in a Tarzan movie." Roger laughed.

   "It was all my idea," Misty admitted, "I thought it would be fun. Now that it's all over, though, we sure put a lot of effort into this for such a simple gag."

   "I love it," Crissy sighed, "you have no idea how much."

   Later that night, when Roger and Crissy were back in the hut and things had quieted down, Roger was sorting through a box of discarded movie props the Carters had given to decorate the hut with. Soon, the walls were adorned with crossed spears and native masks.

   "There," Roger looked on with satisfaction, "now you've got a real native hut, right here in Creek Bend." Crissy snuggled into Roger's side as he draped his arm around her.

   "We've got some wonderful friends," Crissy sighed, "to think of all Ed and Misty went through because as a little girl I dreamed of living in a jungle hut!" 

   "Any other childhood dreams I should be aware of?"

   "I already have everything else," Crissy looked at her wedding ring, then up to Roger's eyes, "I have more than I ever expected. How many men would do something like this to entertain the childhood whims of their wives?" 

   "I would like to think they all would, if the time and money were there. I would like to think every man in my position knows how blessed he is. The smile on your face tonight was worth twice the effort it took to put it there."

   Crissy bit her lip and blushed as she giggled. She was so cute. Doubly so with the huge flower in her hair. 

   Miles away, Ed and Misty were entering their house near the studio. They made for a rather amusing sight as the two wandered around the living room in native garb. Ed plunked down into his favorite chair and watched Misty as she examined herself in a mirror.

   "This is an interesting look," Misty mused, "maybe we should throw a costume party some night."

   "I'd be game if meant you could hold onto that outfit for a few more days."

   "You like it, Ed?" Misty turned to face him, a sly smile formed across her lips. Ed stood and walked over to her.

   "I don't think the look does much for me," he said, "but you certainly wear it well." The two wrapped their arms around each other. "Of course," he continued, "you'd look good in a beach towel. I don't think I've ever seen you wear an outfit that didn't look great."

   "Which outfit is your favorite?" Misty leaned in close. Ed thought for a second. He reached up a stroked her chin with his finger.

   "I like 'em all. This one is good for right now, though." Ed reached over and snapped on the radio. As soft music began to fill the room, Misty rested her head on his chest and closed her eyes. The two swayed back and forth. They were quite a sight, still dressed in their native duds, but it was a really sweet scene.

A String of Pearls

   Misty Carter opened her jewelry box as she sat on the edge of the bed. The string of pearls she wore so frequently around her neck wasn't the most expensive item in her collection, but it was her most treasured. It was a gift from Ed, and that made it special. Misty removed the string and placed it gently in the box before closing it and returning the box to it's place on the stand next to the bed. Then she began to remove her stockings.

   Misty slipped into the sunken tub, now overflowing with bubbles which threatened to push over onto the floor. Misty wasn't as interested in washing up as she was just lying there and relaxing after another day at the studio. Becoming a producer as well as an actress had been a good move financially, but she didn't enjoy the free time she used to. Misty made a point of making up for that whenever possible. She leaned back and rested her head against the rim of the tub, then closed her eyes as she let the soapy water comfort her.

   Ed stepped into the bedroom and tossed his jacket onto the bed. Then he looked at the article as it rested on the luxurious covers and noticed how out of place it was. Misty liked to keep a neat house, and it wasn't asking too much of her husband to hang the jacket in the closet where it belonged. As he reached for the jacket, he could see the neat pile of clothing which Misty had removed. Each little item had been neatly folded and stacked. This was the work of a woman fit for a producer's chair. Everything in order, neatly placed where it would be out of the way and allow for maximum foot traffic.

   After hanging up his jacket and tie, Ed pushed open the door to the bath and leaned against the door frame. He smiled to himself as he just watched his wife. Only her head and shoulders were exposed through all the foam. She looked so glamorous. Misty felt she was being watched and partly opened her eyes. Ed smiled and motioned to her. She grinned as she closed her eyes again.

   "Wanna join me?" She giggled.

   "I have to leave in a few minutes. Otherwise..."

   "You're going out?" Misty opened her eyes fully and watched as Ed stepped over to the sink and checked the mirror.

   "Not for long, I hope. Steve just phoned and he wants me to come over. He has some scripts he wants me to look at, some pictures he felt we might want to produce."

   "Thank you for fielding that stuff for me," Misty closed her eyes again and relaxed, "you've got a good eye for scripts."

   "There's nothing to it, really, you just consider what you'd want to watch if you were buying the ticket."

   "That's why I trust your judgement," Misty looked at Ed again, "and why I don't trust my own as much when it comes to that part of the process."

   "Can you elaborate on that?" Ed rested against the sink and looked quizzically at his wife. She shrugged.

   "Nothing too complicated about it. I spent so much time around producers and studio heads that I don't trust my judgement to know what the real audience wants. Producers don't make movies for their audience, they make them for each other. It's like a game of approval or something. That's why I love C.B.I.P. so much. The Boss puts the audience before everything else."

   "I guess my experiences could be said to be a bit more grounded," Ed mused, "I never met a producer until you took me to one of those Hollywood parties. They're not all creeps, but I did meet a few that night that I thought didn't know the first thing about the people who were actually watching their movies."

   "It's like a social club at most studios. I honestly think you rescued me from getting in too deep."

   Ed smiled as Misty looked up at him with those big beautiful eyes. "A real Grace of God moment, when a beautiful society doll like you accepted my invite to the carnival."

   "You looked so dashing in your uniform. How could I possibly have refused?"

   "We were quite a sight strolling by the bumper cars, a bell-bottom and a sharp number like you. I'll never forget that outfit. Jade green satin with a pink scarf, and that string of pearls around your neck."

   "That's what finally won me, you know?"

   "What?"

   "When I got my pearls caught and the string broke, and then they ran out the floor of the Ferris wheel. I was so upset, and you were determined to replace them for me. So you grabbed that hammer and hit the little bell and won that string of plastic pearls for me. I was so touched."

   "What gets me is you kept 'em. They couldn't have cost more than a penny."

   "They meant the world to me. You were so sweet and didn't want me to go home without my pearls. I have to admit, some of my girlfriends at the time would've sneered at such a corny scene, but I was so moved. That's the moment I fell in love with you."

   Ed reached into the tub and pulled Misty up by her hands. They embraced and kissed. In the bedroom, on the nightstand, in Misty's jewelry box, was the string of plastic pearls she'd kept all those years. She'd worn them almost every day since that night at the carnival. She wore them to social engagements, movie premiers, her own wedding. Sitting in a mass of diamonds and other precious stones, in a place of honor right in the center of the box was a penny string of plastic pearls. It was the most valuable thing that Misty owned.