Total pages in book: 152
Estimated words: 156146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 781(@200wpm)___ 625(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 156146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 781(@200wpm)___ 625(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
Photo on screen of Jameson Oakley, his striking, flame-haired wife, her cute-as-a-button adolescent daughter somewhat hidden from view, and a tall, straight, teenage Judge emerging from the Lincoln Center after a performance of the New York Philharmonic.
Cut to photo of a haggard Belinda Oakley emerging from a liquor store with a very full brown paper bag cradled lovingly in her too-thin arm.
Cut back to Elsa.
“I’m afraid to say, it’s not surprising the devious senior Oakley connived in such a fashion. Though the fresh horror of him putting on one of his, let’s face it, what’s becoming tired and boring shows for reporters, is just…” delicate sniff, “not on. Doing this while his grandson grieves, and his son comes to terms with the mother of his only blood child no longer being of this world? Bad form, Mr. Oakley. Bad form. And just a note, sir, from one who watches, it’s not good when it gets boring. But this? Well, this is just desperate and sad, and no one is interested in that.”
Photo on screen of Tom Pierce in an attractive blue and black tennis outfit and Duncan Holloway in navy performance joggers and white short-sleeved compression shirt, sitting together on a bench, courtside at an elite Dallas athletics club. Both men have their dark heads thrown back and the camera has caught them laughing.
Cut back to Elsa.
“But what have we here? With the things I see and the tidbits that pass my way, I will admit to some…doubt as to the assertions that all is well in the Pierce-Swan-Holloway world. Really, no one is that adjusted. But could it be? Is it indeed all friends and family?”
Photo on screen of Imogen Swan in a form-fitting Alice+Olivia bateau-neck, black midi-dress standing with Tom Pierce wearing Tom Ford and Duncan Holloway wearing Emporio Armani outside a funeral home in Lucas, Texas. The three are huddled close, talking, with Duncan having his hand on the small of Imogen’s back, and both Imogen and Duncan seeming riveted at whatever Tom is saying.
Cut back to Elsa.
“It would appear it is. We should have never doubted America’s Sweetheart. Lesson learned, my wonderful watchers. But let us talk about the next generation.”
Photo on screen of Sasha Pierce, Matthew Pierce, Sullivan Holloway, Gage Holloway and Drusilla Lynch, all in funeral black, walking, heads bent, faces grave, into that same funeral parlor. Sasha Pierce is between her brother, Matthew, and Gage Holloway, a hand on both their arms. Sullivan Holloway has Drusilla Lynch’s hand in his, and his body is positioned as such, it looks as if he’s attempting to protect her from the camera’s lens.
Cut back to Elsa.
“Is this not a collection of the best and brightest and most beautiful? Don’t answer that. It is. I, for one, wonderful watchers, would just love to see Tom Pierce settled and happy with a new love in his life. But my breath is absolutely bated with what might come for this confoundingly exquisite quintet. And no, I haven’t forgotten.”
Photo on screen of Judge Oakley and Chloe Pierce, Judge wearing a black suit, gray shirt, black tie. Chloe wearing a black knit Alexander McQueen with a plunging twisted neckline, sleeves that hug her arms down to her knuckles, hem below the knees. This accompanied by a slender, black leather, double-wrap belt with silver rivets and McQueen’s punk spike stud pumps. They’re holding hands, walking closely into the aforementioned funeral parlor. Judge is facing straight ahead. Chloe’s eyes are cast down.
“This gorgeous pair. What? Rumor has it love is in the air and the powerhouse Pierce-Swan-Holloways are looking at a merger with the power magnate Oakleys. It is, reportedly, a match made in heaven, and not only because these…two…are…glorious. But also, Judge Oakley has a heart of gold and spends his days getting urban kids out into nature, overseeing Duncan Holloway’s Kids and Trails program. But Chloe herself runs a lowkey program out of her delicious boutique in Phoenix, Velvet. FFF, or Fabulous Foot Forward, where Chloe Pierce, who had every leg up imaginable in her life, gives the same to other women who were not as lucky. Whoops! Let’s hope Chloe doesn’t mind that this program of hers will be lowkey no more. But someone needs to shout it from the rooftops, and that, my wonderful watchers, as you know, is always me. Please, see below for your link on how to donate to this fantastic cause.”
Cut to Fabulous Foot Forward graphic of a file of five line-drawn women wearing varying stylish business attire, striding forward with linked arms. Features and coloration depict women that are Black, Brown, Asian, Native American and white.
Cut back to Elsa.
“It really is all no surprise, Tom and Imogen are both known for their charitable endeavors, Duncan far from shies away from the same. Not to mention, this is shades of Chloe’s de facto brother, Hale Wheeler, whose blood runs half Szabo.”