Fred shows up

Fred had no idea why no idea why Cordelia was being so mysterious but she did go pick up some clothes from Cordelia's apartment like Cordelia had requested.

When Fred arrived at the coffee shop on the corner, she noticed that there was hardly anyone in the place save for one lady who was sitting in a corner booth. Even the cashier and the waitresses seemed to be somewhere else.

Oh, well, thought Fred. It's none of my business why this place is so empty. Besides, Cordelia had said that she would be waiting in the ladies' room. So I'll simply go there and --

"Hey, pretty lady," said the woman in the corner booth. "What's your name?"

"Fred," said Fred.

"And why are you here?" asked the woman.

"I'm bringing a friend some clothes," said Fred, pointing to the bundle of garments in her hand.

"Oh," said the woman. "Is your friend a waitress?"

"No, she's a receptionist," said Fred. "She's supposed to be waiting for me in the restroom."

"Oh, that lady!" said the woman. "I believe she left."

"I don't see why she would have," said Fred. "She said she would be waiting for me."

"Is your friend a slightly tan brunette like me who is in her early twenties?" asked the woman.

"As a matter of fact, she is," said Fred. "How did you know?"

"I told you already, Fred," said the woman. "She talked to me. She told me that she was tired of waiting for you and that she was going to call someone else to pick her up instead. Some guy, I believe."

"If that's the case, then why didn't she call me?" asked Fred.

"Well, you know her, Fred," said the woman. "Cute as a button but more than a bit of a pain at times."

"That sounds like Cordelia, all right," said Fred. "So what am I supposed to do with her clothes?"

"Go leave them in the trash can in the alley behind the coffee shop," said the woman. "At least I believe that's what Cordelia said."

"I find it hard to believe that Cordelia would say that," said Fred.

"You're right, Fred," said the woman. "What she really wanted you to do is to take her clothes inside the apartment building across the street and toss them into the incinerator."

"That makes more sense," said Fred.

"Good," said the woman. "Care to sit with me for a spell, Fred?"

"Um, no, thanks," said Fred. "I have to get back to work. But thanks for the information."

"You're welcome, Fred," said the woman. "Maybe I'll see you again after work."

"Maybe you will," said Fred.

"Good," said the woman. "You seem like a nice girl, Fred. I look forward to seeing more of you. Much more of you."

"Why, thank you, " said Fred.

And with that, Fred turned and walked across the street to enter the apartment building that the woman in the corner booth had described.

The woman in the corner booth just smiled. It had been tempting to make Fred stay, but this way was fun too.

Then she wondered how many times Fred would come back to this coffee shop -- and how many times she could make her get rid of Cordelia's clothing. Eventually it would get to a point where either Fred caught on or Cordelia just gave up. The woman knew from experience which outcome was more likely and yet part of her wanted to see what would happen anyway.

Then she signaled to the kitchen for another cup of coffee and noticed to her disgust that her naked waitress who rushed to attend her had managed to borrow another uniform.

Oh, well, thought the woman. I did it once. Why not do it again?

And with that, she turned to face the waitress with the biggest smile she could imagine.