Sandra Marton - The Sexiest Man Alive

MEMO

FROM: Claire

TO: Claire

1.Remember to ask S about Sam, & why he’s playing cards with Mom instead of romancing S.

2.Remember not to bother asking.

3.Remember to ask how come she took portable computer on vacation.

4.Remember not to bother asking.

5.Remember to suggest S. should toss her hat in the ring for next ed-in-chief hiring go-round. She has an MBA, hasn’t she?

6.Remember above, for sure S. would make great ed-in-chief

7.Remember to tell S the Romano thing is nothing but an off-the-wall rumor.

8.Remember to ask S. how she knows Romano is brainless, arrogant & studly (Studly??? Susannah, how you do talk)

9.Tell S she’s got a way with a phrase. “Laying out” Romano, that hunk, is a wonderful idea.

from: SusannahMadison@chic.com

to: ClaireHaines@chic com

subj: Tossed Hats & Studs

OK, I did it. I gave Elerbee my resume. He didn’t laugh ... I guess that’s good news. Re Matthew Romano & layouts: Claire, where are your standards? Who wants a guy who thinks he’s the sexiest man alive? Only a DB, like the one who was draped across Romano’s arm at Hyannisport

from: ClaireHaines@chic.com

to: SusannahMadison@chic.com

subj: Sexiest Man Alive? DB?

When? How? What? Explain, please.

from: SusannahMadison@chic com

to: Claire Haines@chic.com

subj: When, How, What

DB=Dumb Blonde, as always seen in tabloid photos of Romano. Sexiest Man Alive, as seen in Romano’s smirk in every tabloid shot.

from: ClaireHaines@chic.com

to: SusannahMadison@chic.com

subj: Confusion

For shame, Suze. Didn’t know you read the tabloids (snicker). And how do you know the Bs are D?

from: SusannahMadison@chic com

to: ClaireHaines@chic com

subj: No Confusion

Romano was with them.

from: ClaireHaines@chic.com

to: SusannahMadison@chic.com

subj: Yes, Confusion

How come you’re so interested in Matthew Romano?

from: SusannahMadison@chic.com

to: ClaireHaines@chic.com

subj: Non- Interest

I’m not. I don’t know how we got off on this subject to start with.

from: ClaireHaines@chic com

to: SusannahMadison@chic com

subj: Confused, Again

You said he was studly.

from: SusannahMadison@chic com

to: ClaireHaines@chic.com

subj: Insanity

Good grief ’ I was being sarcastic ’ Why are we wasting time on this man?

from: ClaireHaines@chic.com

to: SusannahMadison@chic.com

subj: Hey!

It wasn’t me who brought Romano the Stud into the conversation.

You’re right. I did—and I’m taking him out of it, now.

Do me a favor Take a look at attached: tell me what you think of these ideas. Would any of them make you, for instance, buy a copy of CHIC?

Uh-oh. Phone call from Elerbee. Wants to see me pronto. Here comes the turn-down...

CHIC

The Magazine for Tomorrow’s Woman

Edgar B. Elerbee, Publisher

I am delighted to announce that Susannah Madison is our new editor-in-chief. Susannah has been with us as senior editor for the past two years. She’ll be assuming her new post at the start of next week. I know you’ve weathered some difficult moments the last few months but I can assure you, that’s all behind us.

The payroll dept. has asked me to inform those who may have, again, experienced some difficulty cashing last week’s checks to please be patient. The problem is computer related. Thank you again for your forbearance and, may I add, it’s been a pleasure working with all of you these past years.

E. Elerbee

from: Susannah Madison, editor-in-chief

to: Staff

I have just been informed that CHIC has been purchased by Update Publications of NYC. Don’t panic, people. I’m trying to get info re Update. As soon as I do, I’ll cc: whatever I have to all of you. Since we’ve never heard of it, it’s probably a small outfit, one that will give us time to regroup, retrench & make CHIC the winner we all know it can be

Susannah

While You Were Out

Mr. E:

S.M phoned. Asked for info re rumors sale of magazine. What shall I tell her?

Pam

from: claireHaines@chic.com

to: SusannahMadison@chic com

subj: Congrats & Query

Wow! Congratulatians, Suze. You’ll be great! What’s Elerbee mean, “It’s been a pleasure,” etc Is he retiring? Selling? The mag can’t be going under, not if he’s just appointed you ed-in-chief, right? RIGHT’?

MEMO

from: Matthew Romano

to: Joseph Romano

re: CHIC takeover

Sept 10

Joe:

Update Division just acquired CHIC as part of the Elerbee package. From what I’ve seen, the kindest thing would be to put it out of its misery. What in hell’s going on there? I want to see some data. Copies of correspondence re revolving-door ed-in-chief position, also any pertinent correspondence, files, email, etc on my desk, ASAP. Matt

from: JoeRomano@romano.com

to: MattRomano@romano.com

subj: Some guys are, some guys aren’t Thanks a lot, big brother. You just about kept me chained to my desk this weekend Info on its way. Files sent via Internet, pertinent correspondence faxed. Emails mostly office chitchat-but you should take a look at some of them Forwarding same to your acct. Got to say, buddy, I never did notice you were (ahem) studly.

Joe (trying very hard not to guffaw)

P.S. I guess I’d better tell you now, I’m not the only one who eyeballed this stuff. Material went thru a few hands before hitting my desk. Sorry, but you have to admit, it’s funny.

MEMO

from: Matthew Romano

to: Jane

re: Elerbee package

Jane

Will be leaving for NY on Sun. Contact Hank. Tell him I’ll need the plane. Arrange for hotel accommodations Also phone CHIC offices, inform ed-in-chief I’ll expect to see her in her office 9 AM Monday.

MR

Jane—Flowers to Miss Darvis, please A dozen roses Make it two dozen. Apologies, etc. for breaking next Sun night engagement Tell her I’ll phone from NY. As for ed-in-chief.. please be sure to impress upon the lady that she’d damn well better be prompt.

from: MattRomano@romano com

to: JaneTrent@romano.com

subj: CHIC

I’ve changed my mind Do not contact ed - in-chief at CHIC. I prefer to make my visit unannounced.

CHAPTER ONE

SUSANNAH stepped from the shower, wrapped herself in a towel and raced down the chilly hallway to the kitchen.

This day—this very important day—was not off to a good start.

The shower had been so cold it had made her teeth chatter. The radiators were rattling enough to wake the dead, but the heat trickling out of them wouldn’t have heated a dollhouse. And, as she set the kettle on to boil, a cockroach the size of Godzilla scurried across the linoleum.

But it was what she read on the clock over the stove that set her heart pounding

Seven-fifteen?

It couldn’t be. No way. It was six-fifteen, it had to be. She’d set her alarm an hour earlier than usual, given herself more than enough time to get dressed, put on her makeup and blow-dry her hair, have a slice of toast with her coffee, make Peter his breakfast and still arrive at the office before anyone else.

It was important to seem cool, calm and collected when she started today’s meeting, and never mind that her heart would be in her throat. Even the fortune cookie that had come with last night’s order of take-out General Tso’s chicken had said that much.

Tomorrow, the little slip of paper in the cookie had promised, is the first day of the rest of your life.

Well, of course it is, the practical little voice in Susannah’s head had whispered, but the other voice, the one that lived in her heart or her soul or wherever it was hopes and prayers lived, that voice had said, You see, Susannah? The whole world knows that you’re standing on the edge of your dream.