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The Child-Nine “T don’t know,” Ted shrugged. “What’s the difference?” His knowledge of alcohol began and ended primarily with beer. “Never mind,” Robert said. “I think you’d probably like the bourbon.” “Okay,” Ted relented, “T’ll have one.” When the drink was ready, he took it and slipped around a large potted plant, away from view. Ted sniffed the glass curiously and then stuck his tongue in for a taste. “Not bad,” he thought, “not bad at all.” It was so good, in fact, that he downed the entire thing in one long swallow and sauntered out from behind the big plant with a smile. When he’d taken more orders from the guests, Ted went back to the bar. “So, what did you think?” Robert asked. “That was great!” Ted said. “TI believe I’ll have another one.” Robert set him up again, and Ted soon polished off the second Old Fashioned, beginning to feel rather warm and cheery. For the next hour or so, he managed to sneak several more drinks from the bar and still keep up with his duties. The party grew more animated, and so did Ted, who by this time was seeing everything in a happy, rosy glow. He didn’t recall ever having enjoyed a catering job so much, moving in and out among the jolly guests with a growing feeling of kin- ship and camaraderie. Among the guests arriving just then was Ann Sothern, one of the Sun Valley regulars whom Ted had gotten to know from working some of her private get-togethers. Amused by his great sense of humor and enthralled by his thick Alabama accent, Miss Sothern liked this young man from the south. They had reached such a friendly relationship that she even nicknamed him “Bama” and requested him personally for her parties. The door opened, and Ted saw Miss Sothern enter. “Ann!” he called out with a wave, “good to see you!” He was oblivious to the response of the other guests, thanks to the alcohol haze enveloping him. Miss Sothern smiled in rec- ognition and greeted him with a hug. Masquerade of Angels 74 The Child - Nine Ted ran back to the bar and brought her the drink he knew she preferred—as well as another Old Fashioned for himself—and while the party’s hosts stared with open mouths, the two of them chatted amiably in the middle of the room. It was impossible not to notice the famous movie star talking and laughing with the uniformed waiter as if they were old friends. By this time, Ted had forgotten that he was supposed to be serving, not mingling, and when another waiter passed by with a tray full of drinks, he helped himself. Miss Sothern led him over to the sofa, and before long a large group had gathered around them. “Honey, come here,” Miss Sothern called out to a friend, “come listen to this guy talk. He’s just wonderful! Listen to this! Bama,” she said, turning to Ted, “say something for Mary, dear.” And Ted performed, playing up his downhome drawl for all it was worth. One of the other waiters tried to lure him away from the crowd and back to work, but Ted could have cared less. “To hell with that!” he laughed, too drunk to realize just how plastered he really was. He was having a great time, the center of attention, and no one at the party enjoyed it more than he did. Eventually, however, the festivities were over, the guests departed, and the catering crew was left to clean up the debris. Weaving around with a silly grin on his face, Ted watched as all the others loaded up the supplies in the Sun Valley van. All the expensive china and crystal were fitted into tall stacking compartments, and then the employees clambered aboard to go back to the Lodge. Bert, the boss, reached out and grabbed Ted by the coat, pulling him inside. Even in his condition, Ted noticed that Bert wasn’t smil- ing. In fact, he glared at Ted with a very angry expression as the van rolled off down the road. It wasn’t easy for Ted to remain upright in the moving vehicle and to think at the same time, but he held onto the side rails and bobbed along, wondering what was wrong with his boss. Bert glowered at him with fire in his eyes. “I just want to Masquerade of Angels 75