There Must Be A Mistake Ch. 28

"Like mother like daughter, is that what you're saying?"

"Even to the words he said when he first saw her. Dycke and I knew we were in trouble from that moment on."

"He must be a very formidable young man to go up against your husband."

"He didn't do a thing, Zoey did. We were all congregating around a sick friends bed. The two of them walked in, and announced they were engaged. His side of the family roared with approval. Dycke and I were speechless. This one walks over to her father, bat's her eyelashes at him, and asks if he will walk her down the aisle.

Dycke folded like a deck of cards, and said yes. She walks over to me and tells me she will be leaving with Gordon on the spaceship, and I will be rid of her forever. How could I possibly say no?

Now that she has changed. I would break every bone in her body to make her stay, but I can't do that to her."

"It's one of the joys and heartbreaks of parenthood. Is the boy good for her?"

"The birth control pills may have turned her life around, but it was Gordon who put the smile on her face. He is a wonderful young man and a great scientist. He is the inventor of the Fusion Nuclear Reactor. Anything nuclear built from this time forward will be built from his design. He did that when he was 15 years old, and the things he has done since then would curl your hair."

"Where is she going that you will never see her again?"

"She is leaving December 25 on Spaceship 1. When they leave, they are never be coming back. It is a mission of discovery and science. Everything they see and do will be transmitted back to earth."

"When I read about it in the newspaper, it was always a little article. I thought it was a joke. Now you're telling me it's for real."

"Dycke and I have $25 billion invested it, and our companies have done more than half of the research and build-out of the exterior vessel. It is a marvelous machine. Our government doesn't want to see it succeed. They are idiots, because they think such a radical design, and thinking can't work."

"They are going to feel very foolish as a Christmas present."

"Look at her, isn't she beautiful?"

"She had no choice, look at her mother."

"Where is lunch, I want to see her drool."

"Oh, I stopped doing that many years ago."

"Why has everything I hoped for gone to seed? It was going to be the highlight of my day."

"His Lordship wants a gentler, kinder approach done to your daughter."

"How long ago did you get that message from his Lordship?"

"I received it yesterday."

"When I get home, I am going to kill that rat bastard of mine. My husband had him do it."

"Ladies, join me please."

Another group of 10 ladies dressed in black joined Suzette.

"The mother of the bride need a new gown. Make sure she doesn't try to leave before she is properly fitted, and I pick out her color."

"I don't need a gown. I have many gowns I can wear for her wedding. Suzette don't do this to me. This is my husbands doing again, isn't it. He's dead, I'm going to drop him out of my airplane, and kill him."

Zoie laughed. "It's not all that bad mom. You can even see where dad has the cameras located. I hope you are groomed properly, otherwise everyone will laugh at you."

"Zoie keep your mouth shut. I am so pissed off at your father right now; I may drop you out of the aircraft, on our way home, just to practice."

"I don't know why mom, you've been on film once before."

"Yes, but that was 27 years, and three children ago."

"Mom, you are still gonna look hot."

"If you going to make fun of me, try using the English language."

"I thought I did, where did I go wrong?"

"It was probably when you opened your mouth."

"Ha-ha very funny mother. Your sense of humor may be returning."

As Payne stepped onto the dressing platform Zoie said, "My God, you are beautiful."

"Zoie stop that. I am a middle-aged woman with three children. I am not beautiful any longer."

Suzette asked if she would like to lose some money over that statement.

"Suzette you are very kind, but those days are over for me. I am still good-looking, but beautiful is long gone."

"You will go to bed at 9 o'clock tonight and be here at the salon at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning. Eat a light breakfast with very little liquid, and I will prove you wrong."

"Anything you say Madam."

The fitting, color, and fabric selection took another three hours, and when it was over Zoie, and Payne were exhausted.

Payne asked, "Do you want food or bed first?"

"Can we have food in our room so I can nibble, and we can eat later?"

"Sure, that works for me."

"I wonder if dad had that fitting sequence sent to live to his office?"

"Why, so we could laugh at my antics?"

"No, so you can have him arrested on child pornography charges. I'm still under 18."

"What a wonderful thought. I'll call Steve tonight and ask him."

"You will not ask uncle Steve that question. He will want a copy of the evidence first, which will conveniently join his collection."

"Steve does not have a pornography collection. Cynthia would kill him."

"Then I must' have been babysitting at the wrong house."

"Cynthia will kill him. Where did you find them?"

"In his home office, among other inconspicuous items. I learned a lot about hiding things from uncle Steve. He is a master of it."

"He would have to be to keep something hidden from Cynthia. She is part bloodhound, and part Rottweiler."

"Did uncle Steve know about that part when he married her?"

"Your uncle Steve was blind, as most men are, when he asked her to marry him. It was so cute, and no I will not tell you about it."

"Mom, I'm getting tired of telling you this, but you are no fun at all."

"Those stories are only to be told by the people involved. If you want to know what happened, ask your uncle Steve or aunt Cynthia."

"Okay."

*****************

Zoie and Payne arrived at the salon the next morning at 9 AM. They were ushered through the extravagant mirrored room, and into an area, neither had seen before. It was where models went to prepare to show off new lines of dresses, and materials for the owners of who represent the company abroad.

Chantal was there representing her mother, who would be in at her usual 10 o'clock hour. She ordered the experts to assess the hair of the new arrivals. Hair artists were told to keep it with in her mother's boundaries, otherwise they would never receive a phone call from her again. It would be like putting them on a black list forever if they disobeyed. The makeup artists would come next, and they knew their jobs very well. It was the body artists that Payne might object to severely.

While they were being primped and prodded in the back, a world- renowned photographer was preparing her wares in the center of the mirrored room. She was here many times before, and she knew every nuance of the glass behind her subjects.

As Suzette was wheeled in, they kissed as old friends.

Raquel you will have no trouble with these two, because they are truly beautiful in their own right. The mother believes time has passed her by. We must prove to her that she is wrong.

Raquel laughed. "Will she believe I am almost 70?"

"I can't believe you are almost 70, how will she?"

After talking for a few moments, Suzette went into the back to see what was keeping them. As she thought, it was Payne.

"Payne stop that and lie down."

"Suzette they want to..."

"I know what they want to do, because I ordered them to do it. Now be quiet, spread your legs, and get this over with."

Zoie chuckled at her mother's discomfort, as the hair around her pubic area was either removed, and reshaped. She was so embarrassed her whole body turned red.

When she got up from the table, and their eyes met, Zoie's mirth disappeared. She took a few steps back to increase the distance between them.

She was about to run further away, when Suzette said, "Your next Zoie, get on the table."

Zoie said, "I have almost nothing there. What are they going to cut?"

"Lie down and you will find out."

"Mom!"

"Don't look at me for help you traitor. You laughed while they were doing it to me."

Zoie was mortified, as they trimmed in between her thighs, between the cheeks of her ass, and the hair above her pubic bone. The soft bristled brush they used to clean her off went deep into her valley, touched her magic button. It caused her to squeal, and jump.

The technician laughed. "It happens all the time little girl."

Zoie replied, "It's the first time for me."

Suzette said, "Come on everyone, Raquel is waiting."

Payne replied, "We have to put our clothes on."

"You would only have to take them off in a second."

"You're taking nude pictures of us?"

"How else am I supposed to show you how beautiful you are?"

"I don't think I like this idea. Anyone could see these pictures."

"Would I let anyone see these pictures, except you, your husband, and Zoie?"

"No, I don't think you would."

"Come on mom, this sounds like fun."

"I can't believe I am doing this."

"Yes you can, because in your heart, you really want to know how other people see you."

"I hated you when you were a bitch. Now I hate you because you can see straight into my heart. When did you get so damn smart?"

"Didn't I answer that question for you already?"

"Do you want me to hate you until you leave this planet?"

"You are one of those people that are leaving on Spaceship 1?"

"Yes I am, if my mother lets me live that long."

"Can I get an invitation to do a photoshoot of the spacecraft, before it leaves, and during the lift-off?"

"Who should I tell Doctor Luck is asking?"

"I sorry, I am so use to people recognizing me; I forget to give my name sometimes. I am Raquel Welch."

"Hi, I am Zoie Schneider and this...where did she go?"

Suzette said, "Look down Zoie, she is on the floor."

"What is she doing down there?"

"She fainted when she recognized me Zoie. Most people think I am either dead or so old I am in a nursing home. As you can see, I am in neither place."

"Why, you don't look that old."

"I am almost 70 years old."

"Bullshit! I sorry, please excuse my language."

"It's refreshing to hear someone use that phrase about my age. Let's help your mother up, she has rested enough."

"Hi mom, did you sleep well?"

"Do you know who our photographer is?"

"Yes she does Payne. We have had a wonderful conversation, while you were lying on the carpet."

"I am so sorry. I saw your face, and recognized you instantly. You are still as beautiful as you were when I first met you at the Presidential Ball."

"Do you realize that was over 18 years ago? You were a baby then, and you are still a baby now. I am going to prove that to you through my cameras lenses. Get up we have work to do. I hope you don't mind working with men around. I have my crew with me, and most of them have seen more naked women than all American men put together."

"Mom, this is getting ridiculous."

"I thought you said this was going to be fun?"

"I hate being stabbed by my own words."

Over the next three hours, they had their hairdos redone, makeup repaired, and the sweat carefully removed from their bodies. The only thing they didn't do was change their wardrobe. They were naked the entire time.

Raquel did not take one indecent picture of them. Their breasts showed, and were prevalent in almost every picture. However, either their bodies or hands always covered their most intimate part.

When Raquel was finished taking pictures, she sat the two of them down, and had them look at the video recording that was taken, while she was photographing them. Every time there was a bright flash of light, she stopped the machine and showed them what the picture would look like in detail.

Payne and Zoie did not realize they were still sitting there naked. It felt like second nature to them now.

When they were finished, Zoie asked if she could borrow Raquel's cell phone. Then she started counting on her fingers.

Payne asked, "What are you trying to do?"

"I'm trying to figure out what time it is in Texas?"

"It's six hours earlier than here."

"Okay, I'll call dad at work."

Raquel said, "I thought she was calling Doctor Luck."

"She is. He is her second father now."

"Hi dad, did we discover anything new since I left?"

"Yes we did Zoie. Your room is a lot quieter, and Gordon spends a lot more time training than he did before you left. It's either frustration, or he misses you."

"I can't imagine which one it might be dad, because I miss him desperately. I have a favor to ask you."

"Go ahead darling, if it's within my power, it's yours."

"Mom and I just had some pictures taken, and the photographer wants to know if she could do a photoshoot of the inside of the spacecraft before we take off, and during liftoff."

"Zoie, we have never permitted anyone to photograph inside the spacecraft. There are too many proprietary items in there that others might use without our permission, or the permission of our government."

"I'm sure you could work something out with her about those items dad."

"Let me talk to the photographer, what is her name?"

"Dad sit on the floor. I don't want you to hurt yourself as my mom almost did."

"Zoie, I am not like Gray, or your mother. Tell me the name of the photographer."

"Dad, if you get hurt, your wonderful trio of nurses will be back on your case, until you take off. Do you want to go through that again?"

"No, that will never happen to me again. I am sitting on the floor. I swear on all my children, I am sitting on the floor."

"I'm taking you at your word dad. I don't want you to get hurt. The photographer's name is Raquel Welch."

Zoie could hear screaming in the background.

"Even, Even, talk to me. He still breathing. Pick up the phone and see who he was talking to."

"Who is this?"

"It's me, Zoie, he just fainted. He will be fine in a minute."

"How do you know he will be fine in a minute?"

"Because he reacted the same way my mother did."

"What did you tell him Zoie?"

"I told him the name of our photographer."

"He's coming around; don't cause him to have a heart attack please."

"I won't, I told him everything he needed to know."

I picked up the phone, and in my quietest voice said, "Zoie if you are lying to me, I'm going to kill Gordon."

"Would you like to speak to her dad?"

"No, not yet, I want to speak to your mother first."

"What do you want Even?"

"Your assurance that it's really her."

"I guarantee it. I met her once before, and she is as gorgeous as ever."

"Let me talk to her."

"Hello Doctor Luck, it is my pleasure to speak with you."

"Miss Welch, the pleasure is mine. We have never allowed anyone inside the spacecraft, because there are many things of a proprietary nature that nations could use, without our or our country's permission. If you would be willing to sign a very strict nondisclosure agreement for yourself, and allow the pictures you take to be vetted by us before publication, we will be able to work something out between us. As far as your being allowed to witness lift-off, it would be our pleasure to give you credentials to be there."

"I'm not sure I like the part about the pictures being seen and approved by you first, but I understand the secretive nature of your mission. I'll have my attorneys call your attorney in the morning. I would like to get these pictures published for the December issues of all the major magazines. It is going to put me on a very tight schedule."

"Why don't you fly here with your attorneys, so they can meet mine and hash out the agreement? You can begin taking your pictures, but we will maintain control over your cameras and film until the agreement is signed. Only you will be allowed into the spacecraft, and no one else. Can you live with that restriction?"

"We will be there Saturday morning, if that meets with your approval."

"Fly into Austin airport, and give us your aircraft number. Our agents will pick you up, and bring you here. You will get here much faster that way."

"Thank you Doctor Luck, I look forward to meeting you."

"I agree Ms. Welch; don't mind the stares of my agents when they see you. You were the last of the beautiful women to star on the movie screen. Everyone after you was a stick figure, and not a real woman."

"Thank you Doctor Luck that is the nicest complement I have had in years. Goodbye."

**********

"What the hell happened Even?"

"Zoie and Payne just had their pictures taken by Raquel Welch."

"That's nice, who is she?"

"In her day, she was one of the most beautiful women in the world. Now, she spends most of her time traveling the world taking the most beautiful pictures of animals, nature, and people, you will ever see. She has been published in every magazine from National Geographic to Woman's Wear Daily. I just gave her permission to photograph the inside of Spacecraft 1."

"Dad, which head were you thinking with when you did it? You never let anyone photograph the inside of the ship."

"I was thinking with the big head Gordon. We will have control of her cameras and film, until the NDA is signed. We will go over her pictures to make sure no proprietary items have been photographed. She didn't like that part, but it was a take it, or leave it proposition. She took it. We will put her in a flight suit, because they have no pockets to hide anything. If she tries to hide anything, between her breasts, I will happily go in there and find it."

"What will mom say about that dad?"

"I will tell her I couldn't allow anyone else to do it. I let her into the spacecraft, and it was my duty to reach in between her breasts, and pull the offending item out. I may not get it the first time, but by the 50th time, I should have it."

"Do you really believe mom is going to let you get away with that dad?"

"No, but I will have had the pleasure of feeling Raquel Welch's breast, before your mother beats the crap out of me."

"How old is she?"

"In my mind, she is still the woman wearing the animal skin bra, and mini-skirt. However, now she has to be in her sixties."

"She may have changed since then dad."

"I guarantee you she has, but only for the better."

"Would you like to bet our household maximum on that?"

"I've never seen you in such a hurry to lose your money."

"Zoie's not here, I have no one to spend my money on."

"I thought you were sending her roses every day."

"Oh shit, I'm in trouble. I'll be right back."

Gordon knew nothing about flowers, but he hoped Mister Valentino could help him send Zoie something more than just roses. When he reached his outer office, his secretaries yelled, "Stop, you cannot go in there."

"I have to speak to him; it's a matter of life and death."

"I guarantee you if you open that door you are going to be dead. Sit down and wait until that door opens, or go back to work and we will call you when he is available."

"Is he going to be long?"

"It all depends on his stamina."

"What does that mean?"

"Sit down and wait, or go back to work, and we will call you when he's available."

"That's not what I asked you."

"I have given you my answer."

A short time later, Stephano's door opened, and Patti was still two feet off the ground, being held in his arms.

"Thank you for coming dear, it is always a wonderful interlude in the middle of a lousy day."

"I always cum when you're fucking me Steph. Today was extraordinary. You must have been extremely tense, and I must ask whoever did this to you, to do it more often. My stallion was in rare form today, and I loved it."

Gordon was red from the bottom of his toes to the tip of his hair. He had never heard love talk like this before. It was very exciting all the way to his soul. He got up quietly, and tried to sneak out the office unseen.