THE YEAR OF LIVING DANGEROUSLY CHAPTER FIFTY ONE: Coronation Written by Rick Archer

FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 1979, the disco years crowning glory   April was an interesting month at Camelot.  The first Friday was marked by the unexpected disappearance of Victoria's five Roundtable couples plus Michael.  Starting in October, these couples had been taking lessons for six straight months.  As the Founding Fathers of Camelot, six months of steady practice had made their dancing superb.  Now without warning the group was gone.  No explanation was ever given. The second Friday saw Patricia mysteriously snubbed by Victoria's replacement friends.  Flustered, Patricia turned around and lost her temper with me for the crime of playing Backgammon with Joanne.  Furious at Patricia, Joanne told me she was gone for good.  The third Friday saw Patricia's isolation grow even worse.  Was this Victoria's doing?  Patricia certainly thought so.  She was determined to get even. On April 27, the fourth Friday, Victoria would claim her Crown as Queen of Camelot.  Coronation Night was an interesting evening.  It marked the confluence of Michael's disappearance, Victoria's private lesson progress, the expulsion of Joanne, and the suspected sabotage of Patricia's reputation.  Now that Michael had stopped coming to Camelot, Victoria made sure her wedding ring disappeared for two hours.  Without Michael around, Victoria began to act like she was single again.  Taking a page out of the Patricia Playbook, Victoria was more flirtatious towards men than in the past.  In particular, Victoria was especially warm towards me, especially when Patricia wasn't looking.  Looping her arm in mine or holding hands, an uninformed observer might conclude we were a couple as we walked around saying hello.  I should have objected, but I was very drawn to Victoria.  I hated myself for being so damn attracted.  The key development had been our Tuesday morning private lessons with Glen.  Now that Victoria could attend lessons on a regular basis, she concentrated on her dancing with a single-minded purpose.    Victoria and Glen really liked each other.  They had a terrific rapport and Victoria's dancing blossomed under his tutelage.  Give the woman some credit.  Victoria made an amazing amount of progress in April. Another development was Patricia's growing isolation, most likely due to a secret sabotage campaign.  Women in general did not like Patricia, so any sort of accusation was as good as the other.  My guess is the whisper campaign labeled Patricia as a manhunting predator.  To be fair, I never learned for a fact that Victoria organized a conspiracy against Joanne or Patricia.  However, where there's smoke, there's fire.  The similarity between Joanne's takedown and Patricia's takedown was so great it was hard to believe their mutual ostracism was a coincidence.  Patricia was convinced Victoria had said something behind her back.  I agreed.  No development was more important than Joanne's withdrawal from Camelot.  On Tuesday, April 24, we were having lunch at La Madeleine following our private lesson.  This was the morning Victoria learned Joanne would not be returning to Camelot.  With Joanne gone, the boost to Victoria's confidence was discernable.  In the past, Victoria's dancing was good, but she was always looking over her shoulder for Joanne to appear.  Certain Joanne was gone for good, Victoria was ecstatic.  On Coronation Night three days later, the change in Victoria's demeanor was apparent.  Joanne was a better dancer than Victoria, but so what?  I doubt anyone other than me could tell the difference.  With Joanne gone, Victoria took her place as new dance superstar at Camelot.  The attention Joanne once drew was quickly transferred to the Supreme Diva.  Victoria loved it.  That night she moved around the Pistachio Club liked she owned the place.  Her dancing became bolder, flashier, more confident. Without Joanne around, who was there to challenge her?  Michael could not control Victoria.  How could he?  Michael was nowhere in sight.  I could not control Victoria.  Her tentacles were so powerful they strangled my ability to protest.  Patricia could not control Victoria.  Victoria had no respect for her.  Sure enough, only Joanne, a woman terrified of her own shadow, could control Victoria.  However, the Mouse that Roared was gone thanks to Patricia's Backgammon tantrum.  Now that Joanne's loss had permanently destroyed the Diva Triangle, the bear felt safe to come down from the tree.  With Patricia neutralized by the gossip campaign, Michael brooding at home, and Joanne nowhere in sight, my system of checks and balances was ruined.  I am sorry to say no one missed Joanne except me.  Like a flash in the sky, the Ice Queen was easily forgotten.  Victoria took advantage of her absence to dominate.  Posing and preening at every turn, Victoria was now Camelot's finest female dancer.  Early in the evening Victoria asked me to dance.  As all our students lined the railing to watch, our special dance served as Victoria's Coronation Ceremony.  All kinds of people rushed to her side when we finished.  Relegated to obscurity by the crush, I quietly returned to Patricia where we watched together.  Considering this was the moment she had worked towards for eight months, Queen Victoria was very satisfied. Not so Patricia.  She was distinctly upset as Victoria triumphed.  Coming to the Pistachio Club wasn't fun anymore.  With Michael and the Medical Center husbands absent, Patricia had begun to detest Friday nights.  Patricia was shocked at how quickly she had become isolated.  It was so sudden it felt like someone had flipped a switch.  Patricia was very bitter towards Victoria.  Watching Victoria wave and smile for her countless admirers, Patricia just wanted to puke.  She was starting to figure things out.  Patricia was certain Victoria had said something behind her back.  If this was true, Victoria was certainly not her friend despite the fake smile.  Patricia recalled what I had said about Tiffany, the woman who suggested Victoria had deliberately isolated Joanne.  Patricia assumed Victoria had done the same thing to her.  It aggravated her no end that she did not know how to deal with it.  How does one fight a rumor without evidence?  Patricia still had her share of admirers among the men in the crowd.  With me on the dance floor with students, no one to talk to and frustrated by Victoria's ascendance, Patricia decided to go on the prowl.  You have heard the expression 'when it rains, it pours'.  Talk about being in a slump, tonight the unthinkable happened.  Forced to roam the club in search of attention, Patricia got rejected!  Patricia spotted a man named Doug who was a really good dancer.  She had been cultivating him as a potential new admirer.  After flirting with Doug for a while, she asked him to dance.  He replied, "Why didn't you tell me you are Rick's girlfriend?  I only dance with women who are unattached."  However, that was not the end of it.  The crusher came when Doug later danced with Victoria.  Smack down! I chuckled when Patricia told me what happened, but made sure not to let it show.  Patricia acted like she had never been rejected before in her life.  Ordinarily no man would ever turn down a chance to get close to Patricia, but nothing about tonight was ordinary.  Victoria's tricks had really gotten into Patricia's head.  Patricia was so off her game that her charisma plummeted.  It was weird how the same night Victoria's Star skyrocketed, Patricia's celebrity took a sharp dive.  Patricia blamed Victoria for her change in fortunes and rightfully so.  I had uncertain what Victoria had done, but Patricia's fall from grace was so swift I could not accept it was an accident.  Victoria came into her own that night.  Due to Patricia's sulking, I left Victoria alone after her Coronation Dance.  Without me as Victoria's escort, it was easy for men to approach her.  Seeing the Supreme Diva on fire, they could not wait to bask in the glow of her energy.  Victoria said yes to everyone.  Why not?  She was free to show off with every man who lined up to dance with her.  That included Doug, the guy who had turned Patricia down.  Victoria was having more fun than she had ever imagined.  The happier Victoria got, the grouchier Patricia got.  Feeling the need to calm her down, I sat with her.  The last thing I needed was another temper tantrum.  As Patricia watched Victoria dominate the dance floor, I noticed her shake her head in disapproval.  Curious, I asked Patricia what was bothering her.  Patricia remarked, "I really wish Joanne was still here to show Victoria she isn't as good as she thinks she is."   When I started laughing, Patricia frowned at me.  "What's so damn funny?" I laughed because it had taken Patricia four months to realize Joanne was the only person capable of holding Victoria in check.  Patricia was a smart woman, but she lacked social acuity.  I was amused that Patricia was just now catching onto why Joanne was so important to me.  The April Fool's joke was on Patricia. With the spotlight to herself, Victoria thoroughly enjoyed being on constant display.  This rankled Patricia no end.  Patricia complained about Victoria all night long.  It was ironic that Patricia had just realized the damage she had done by chasing off Joanne.  Now Patricia wished she could have Joanne back again.  That made two of us. There wasn't much stopping Victoria now.  Her fondest dreams had come true.  Victoria was the unrivaled Supreme Diva of Disco.  With Joanne eliminated and Patricia diminished, no one could dispute the Crown was hers.  Camelot belonged to Victoria.  CLASH OF THE TITANS, ROUND TWO   There was no love lost between Victoria and Patricia.  Victoria could have cared less about Patricia's downfall.  Why should she?  The whole purpose of Victoria's detente with Patricia was to keep me out of Joanne's bed.  I hate to say it, but it was a shrewd move.  However, now that Joanne was out of the picture, Queen Kong no longer needed her fake friendship with Princess Godzilla.  Patricia had served her purpose.  In Victoria's eyes, Godzilla was expendable.  Patricia knew what was going on.  She wanted revenge. When someone is on a hot streak, why is it they don't know when to quit?  Vegas is famous for high rollers who think they are invincible right till the moment they blow their entire stash on one arrogant mistake.  Victoria was elated with the attainment of her long-awaited success and all the attention she was getting.  She was also drinking to celebrate. Patricia and Victoria had not publicly squared off since the Halloween Party six months ago.  That was about to change.  Patricia and I were preparing to leave Coronation Night when Victoria spotted me and demanded that we dance one more time.  Patricia was not about to relinquish custody, so she squeezed my hand as a warning.  A sense of dread overcame me.  I knew exactly what Victoria was doing.  Victoria had chosen this moment to claim me as her Trophy.  Victoria was trying to show Patricia all she had to do was snap her fingers and Trophy Boy would bow to her wishes.  I could see the dilemma.  Although I was little better than a lowly pawn caught between two Beauty Queens, sometimes even a pawn has power.  This was my 'Paris of Troy' moment, Aphrodite versus Athena.  Who could have imagined Fate would place a former ugly duckling in prime position to determine the winner of the showdown.  See if you can guess my choice.  Accept the offer and alienate Patricia.  Refuse the offer and alienate Victoria.  What should I do?  To be honest, it was not difficult.  One woman held the Keys to the Kingdom, the other was little better than a flashy rental car.  Knowing where my bread was buttered, I let go of Patricia's hand and escorted Victoria to the floor.  As the barbarian at the sack of Rome once said, spoils go to the victor.  That is when the pillage and ravage begins.  Unfortunately for Victoria, I was too big to ravage against my will, so she was forced to settle for a dance instead.  However, that accomplished her goal.  Patricia was livid. Victoria was living out her dream.  Tonight she was Star of Stars.  As we danced together, Victoria overheard scattered applause and murmurs of approval.  Maybe it was the vodka, maybe it was the music, maybe it was the mood she was in.  Victoria pulled herself very close.  With our bodies touching, Victoria began staring at me with the same mush eyes as Joanne.  In her dream state, I am not sure she was aware how transparent her longing had become.  I was shocked.  I could not believe Victoria was letting it show that she had feelings for me in front of all these students.  Victoria must have been feeling very confident.  More likely she was drunk. Sensing danger, I did not return her embrace.  Instead I led a move that separated us.  Then I glanced nervously over at Patricia.  Understandably, Patricia was busy applying war paint.  The moment Patricia spotted Victoria turn to mush in my arms, she hit the roof.  Godzilla marched right on to the dance floor while we were still dancing and pulled me away from Victoria.  Oh shit, here it comes... Rematch Battle of the Disco Divas! Victoria turned white.  She had not seen Patricia coming.  Patricia got right in Victoria's face and raised her voice. "All right, Victoria, that's enough.  I am so angry I could slap you.  This kind of crap needs to stop now!!  Do you have no shame?  Rick belongs to me and you need to start remembering your wedding vows!" It was late, but well over two dozen people saw the confrontation.  Their hands covered their mouths in shock.  They could not believe what they had just witnessed.  Patricia wasn't through.  She was really angry.  Patricia whirled around and stared defiantly at the crowd.  "What the hell are you looking at?  Haven't you ever seen someone put a tramp in her place before?" Victoria was speechless.  Patricia had caught Victoria so completely off guard she didn't have a comeback.  Clash of the Titans, Round Two, went to Patricia. FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 1979 RIOT ACT   Don't tell anyone, but I was secretly proud of Patricia.  Nevertheless, I was certain I would pay a stiff price for dancing in the arms of the enemy.  Sure enough, Patricia grabbed my arm and hauled me out the Disco.  Whoa!!!  I was astonished at what had taken place.  I could not imagine the consequences with Victoria, but first I had to survive Patricia's wrath.  On the way home, Patricia completely lost it.  She had a meltdown and started screaming.  Patricia was driving.  She was so out of control, I feared she might have an accident.  To my surprise, I caught a break.  Patricia decided not to blame me.  "That fucking bitch has turned every person in the room against me!!  I don't know what the hell she said, but I am convinced she has been talking behind my back.  And now she has the nerve to fondle you in public.  I hate that woman!" I understood.  The sharp pain Patricia was feeling was a knife in the back thanks to her so-called girlfriend.  There was great irony at work here.  Victoria stabs Joanne in the back.  Patricia stabs Joanne in the back.  Victoria stabs Patricia in the back.  Patricia stabs Victoria in the back.  Diva Warfare was definitely not for sissies.  I could not prove Patricia's Rumor Theory, but her analysis made sense.  Based on my experience with Joanne, it stood to reason Victoria had pulled a similar trick on Patricia.  An important memory flashed in my mind.  Back in October six months ago, Victoria had surprised the husbands in her private class with the suggestion that they take their wives out dancing after class.  The men had started to grumble, but stopped when the wives crossed their arms and gave them a coordinated 'Do this or else' look.  The husbands were startled to see their wives close ranks so quickly.  Taken off guard by their wives' show of unity, the men had folded on the spot.  Laughing, Victoria later confided she had organized this sneak attack behind the men's back.  When I asked how she did it, Victoria laughed again.  "The telephone, silly.  The telephone is my secret weapon.  I thought you knew that!" Well, it was funny back then, but it meant something different now.  It was solid evidence that Victoria used the phone to manipulate opinion behind the scenes.  Now that Joanne and Patricia had fallen victim in consecutive months, it seemed likely that Victoria's telephone poison had worked this treachery.  For the millionth time I wondered if the day would come when Victoria would do the same to me.  Considering I had zero phone skills, this would be a battle I was sure to lose.  Meanwhile, whatever Victoria had done to Patricia and Joanne behind their backs, it was no laughing matter.  Victoria had vanquished both opponents with brutal efficiency.  With the Diva Triangle irretrievably shattered, Victoria assumed she stood supreme.  However, Patricia had bloodied her badly at the end of the evening.  As Patricia continued to rant in the car, I could not imagine the repercussions.  "Goddamn that woman!  Damn her to hell!  I hate that bitch more than I have ever hated any woman.  I should have slapped her silly tonight.  I wanted to and I had every right to.  I wanted to slap that happy smile right off her face!" The anger in her voice was so violent, I cringed.  Trying to calm her down, I replied softly, "You're right, Patricia.  I don't know what is going on, but I agree Victoria must be doing something to influence people against you." "You're damn right that's what she's doing.  I won't let her insult me like that.  Furthermore, I saw the way she used you tonight.  Can't you see that Victoria is setting you up for a Spring Affair of her very own?  Her husband doesn't even show up any more.  Michael knows what's coming next and doesn't want to be around to see the train wreck." Patricia suddenly turned her head to stare at me.  In an accusatory voice, Patricia barked, "Is there something going on here I don't know about?  Are you having sex with Victoria?" The way she said it was so sharp and unexpected that I raised my hands in self-defense.  Patricia had caught me so completely off guard with that question that I was too stunned to answer.  Could Patricia read my mind?  No, Victoria and I had not had sex, but I sure wanted to.  Lately Victoria's siren call had been getting to me, so I am afraid my horrified expression betrayed my guilty conscience.  I wondered if Patricia saw the guilt written all over my face, but I got lucky.  It was dark in the car and she was forced to keep her eyes on the road, so I got away with it.  I finally caught my breath to say something. "No, Patricia, I have not had sex with Victoria.  That is the truth.  Just the fact that you would bring the subject up is very upsetting to me." Patricia wasn't convinced.  Patricia could tell she had hit a nerve; she just wasn't sure what the full story was.  "All right, what about Joanne?  Someone said you've had sex with her.  Is that true?" Oh my God, now I was really sweating.  Did someone really say that or was Patricia on a fishing expedition?" "Of course not, Patricia.  What got you onto this tangent?  No doubt this is some lie Victoria told to hurt you." Thank goodness I had the sense to invoke Victoria's name.  Otherwise I believe water-boarding would have commenced soon.  Patricia was far from convinced of my innocence, but once she was reminded of her anger towards Victoria, I was off the hook. "Rick Archer, you are probably hiding something [damn it!  Do all women have the same radar?].  However, I will take you at your word because I don't think you're that stupid.  If you are telling the truth like you say you are, then I suggest you tell Victoria to get lost before it is too late.  If you let that woman get any closer, you will be sorry.  I can categorically assure you that would be the biggest mistake of your life.  Before you go and do something stupid, I recommend you get rid of her now." I completely agreed with Patricia and told her so.  However, what I did not say was easier said than done.  Freeing myself from Victoria was like fighting an octopus.   Victoria had her tentacles wrapped around my dance business so tight I could not see a way to extricate myself.  Seeing how effectively she had isolated Joanne and Patricia, I felt a profound dread.  This woman had a mastery of infighting that was deeply troubling.  Now that I had lost Joanne, all I had left to fight off Victoria was Patricia.  That was not very reassuring.  I had thoroughly enjoyed Patricia's ambush in tonight's Catfight.  However, now that the element of surprise was gone, I did not see her winning a prolonged battle.  Victoria was willing to fight to the finish, but not Patricia.  Victoria had more to lose plus she held most of the cards.  Since Patricia did not love me, I doubted her heart would be in it for the duration.  Sad to say, Patricia had not quite realized how hopeless it was.  She was a little slow in this regard.  That said, for now Patricia made it clear she did not want to surrender. "I blame Victoria for all of our problems.  I am convinced that Victoria is doing everything she can to drive a wedge between us [no kidding].  To begin with, I share you with Victoria when you are at the studio and Friday nights as well.  When do we ever have time alone together?  Normal couples who date are supposed to have time alone on the weekends so they can go places and do things.  Not you.  You are tethered to Pistachio every Friday night like a prisoner.  I am sick and tired of watching that woman make an idiot of herself every Friday night and drag you along with her.  I want you to skip going to the club next week and spend Friday night with me instead." "Patricia, I can't do that.  This is my business you are talking about.  You are suggesting I let my personal problems force me to abandon my business.  What would that accomplish?  Victoria could do whatever she wants while my back is turned and I won't allow that.  Besides, dancing with the students and being a host is how I keep my business flourishing.  You know that as well as I do."  "Damn it, I want Victoria to get the hell out of my personal life so I can see where we stand without that woman's constant interference.  After the stunt Victoria pulled tonight, I am never going back to that goddamn club.  Furthermore, you shouldn't go either.  I demand that you to stay home with me next Friday!" Good grief, this was serious.  Three weeks ago, Joanne had refused to ever return to the Pistachio Club.  Now Patricia was saying the same thing.  No Michael, no Joanne, no Patricia.  Victoria would stand unopposed.  All the more reason for me to take my rightful place at Camelot next Friday and protect my turf. "If you don't want to go back, Patricia, I won't blame you one bit.  But I still need to go to the club on Friday night.  We are talking about my job!  I can always come see you afterwards.  We will have Saturday and Sunday together." "Did you not hear me?  I demand you stay with me next Friday!"   Patricia paused to get her breath, then resumed her latest Tirade in a loud voice. "Show some guts and stand up to Victoria!  If you don't show up, that will send the bitch a message.  She will know why you aren't there.  The whole point of freezing me out is to get to you.  But if you're not there, then her strategy backfires.  Victoria will see your first loyalty is to me, not her.  Besides, who's she going to dance with?  Without you, she can't show off." "Patricia, I hear what you are saying and I am sorry you are so upset, but you aren't listening to me.  I have no intention of abandoning my business with Victoria on the warpath.  Skipping Friday night would be insane.  Let me make something clear.  Victoria has the power to eliminate me too if she tries hard enough.  Victoria is more popular than me.  For all I know, she might just talk to Lance Stevens and Deborah Gordon behind my back.  She can tell them how disloyal I am and Lord knows who would be in control once the dust settles.  "Don't be stupid, Rick.  All you have to do is write a letter to your students and explain what is going on.  You occupy the moral high ground." "I've thought of that, but Victoria owns the mailing list and refuses to give me a copy.  She also owns the phone numbers.  I am completely at her mercy." Patricia stared at me in horror.  "How did that happen?" "It was easy.  Victoria does the registration and collects people's addresses and phone numbers." "Why don't you have a copy?" "I've asked for one and she keeps dodging me." Patricia shook her head in disgust.  "She really does have you nailed down, doesn't she?  Fortunately, you own the atom bomb." "What are you talking about?" "All you need is one phone number.  If Victoria gives you any more shit, just call Michael.  Or better yet, knock on his door some night.  One look at his wife's face will tell the story.  Michael will straighten this out pronto." "I am not going to do that, Patricia.  That is not how I operate.  However, at the same time I do not wish to give Victoria free rein to say whatever she wishes behind my back.  If I abandon the Pistachio Club for even one night, I cannot imagine what stunt Victoria will pull.  I can't stop going dancing on Fridays just because Victoria has frozen you out.  My suggestion is for you to defy her and show up next week.  That will blow her mind." "That will never happen.  I said I will never go near that place again and I mean it." Patricia was serious.  If so, this could very well be the end of our relationship.  Victoria was far more important to me than Patricia.  If Patricia forced me to choose, it would be Victoria.  However, I am pretty sure Patricia did not need these unspoken sentiments spelled out.  Patricia realized that Victoria held the upper hand in this struggle, a fact that angered her no end.  Seeing that I wasn't responding to her suggestion to ditch the Blonde Banshee, Patricia worked herself into a Brunette Banshee frenzy of her own.  As we climbed the steps to her apartment, Patricia continued to berate me.  This rant had lasted 20 minutes with no end in sight. "Do what you want, Rick, but you have a lot of nerve choosing that woman over me.  As for me, I will never set foot in that club again.  And if you want us to have a future, I want you to do the same next Friday." "Look, Patricia, you are angry.  I get that.  However, you are also being unreasonable.  This is my business you are talking about!!  I won't skip Pistachio just to soothe your hurt feelings.  I will go back next week and you should too.  If you avoid the dance club, then you have essentially backed down from her.  Your absence makes Victoria the winner." "Why should I go back?  The damage is done.  I don't even like those people.  Victoria has turned them all against me.  I don't want to be anywhere near them." Déjà vu.  Patricia was copying Joanne's dialogue word for word.  However, the memory of Patricia confronting Victoria showed me that while Joanne ran from conflict, Patricia was a fighter.  Perhaps I could use some of that fight to present a new strategy.  As we entered her apartment, I made a suggestion. "You may be isolated with Victoria's friends, but they only comprise a small fraction of the overall group.  The Monday people don't know Victoria that well.  The Wednesday people don't know Victoria that well.  The people I teach on Thursday don't know Victoria very well.  Victoria does not come to the studio on Friday, but rather heads directly to the Pistachio Club for Camelot.  Why not start over?  Why not fight back by making new friends of your own that are not beholden to Victoria?" When Patricia stared daggers at me, I realized my mistake.  I had forgotten Patricia was not very good at making friends.  She had always relied on her rare beauty to bring men to her, but that wasn't quite the same thing as making 'friends'.  I wasn't even sure if she had friends.  I had yet to meet one.  Patricia sure as heck didn't have a girlfriend.  The only woman she talked to was her mother. In her most sarcastic tone, Patricia mimicked me, "Oh, gosh, Patricia, why don't you come to the club and make lot of new friends!?!" Then she sneered at me to indicate her contempt. "Oh, isn't that sweet?  I don't think so.  That has to be the dumbest idea I have ever heard.  You keep thinking I go to that club because I want to.  Bullshit.  I only go there because it's the only way I get to see you on Friday night.  I hate that place.  I have no intention of going from person to person begging them to be my friend." "I don't agree with you, Patricia.  Victoria may have poisoned her new group of friends against you, but I bet 90% of the people don't know a thing about this quarrel.  Sit at another table; I'll join you.  Working together, we can form our own In Crowd.  Even better, why not fight fire with fire?  The best way to keep Victoria at bay would be to assume Joanne's role.  Come take Joanne's place as my assistant on Monday.  That would be like spitting in Victoria's eye.  Not only could you make friends with the people in that group, you could send the message to Victoria that two can play this game.  I could really use a counter-balance to Victoria's roughshod tactics." There it was.  I had just thrown down the gauntlet.  If Patricia wanted to stand up to Victoria, all she had to do was step into Joanne's shoes on Monday Night.  Victoria would have a conniption fit if that happened.  I wondered if Patricia would accept my offer.  I didn't have long to wait.  Patricia turned me down cold. "Listen, Rick, I work hard at the hospital.  I put in long hours and deal with a lot of stress.  I'll be damned if I am going to sacrifice even one night a week in a stupid attempt to put Victoria in her place.  It would be much more effective if you skipped Fridays for a while.  What's a Queen without the King?  Who is Victoria going to show off with?  Besides, you are the only reason Friday is important to her in the first place.  It's you she wants.  If you skip Friday next week, Victoria will realize her nasty gossip campaign has backfired." "I am sorry you feel that way, Patricia, but I won't make that promise.  However, I will agree with you about one thing.  Victoria is definitely trying to sabotage our relationship.  And judging by this quarrel, she has done a very effective job.  Look, can we drop the Riot Act for a while?  I am getting sick and tired of letting arguments over Victoria ruin our time together.  Can we please change the subject for the time being?" Patricia turned on the television and retreated into a shell.  It was hopeless.  I had given Patricia an obvious way to beat Victoria at her own game.  Why not use the Monday class to develop her own clique?  But Patricia was not interested.  Patricia had not thought her position through.  If she rejected dancing, in essence she was rejecting me.  This relationship was on life support.

 

THE YEAR OF LIVING DANGEROUSLY Chapter FIFTY Two:  SCORCHED EARTH

 

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