A Toast to Flappers and New-Fangled Ideas

[Bye_bye_birdie45]

Marilyn nodded a little, grinning almost mischievously. "Jonathan invited me and you to a party that takes place Saturday. It's at Celia's house." Celia was a girl they'd gone to elementary school with. Her father made a great deal of money, because he owned three different companies that made quality cigars. She was a very nice girl, especially considering her younger brother and sister were quite spoiled. "Do you think Mr. Lawrence would let us go?"

[Nerine]

She shrugged. "Most likely. He knows Celia, and if we have all of our schoolwork done, we should be fine."

And indeed, Bernard did give his approval, but they must have all schoolwork done, rooms clean, and curfew is non negotiable. The two girls did their best to butter up their governess, and by the end of the week, they had done splendidly in earning Bernard's good graces.

[Bye_bye_birdie45]

As they got ready for the party, it was decided that - to avoid suspicion - Marilyn would wear her very modest black shoes to leave the house, then change into the prettier white ones (which were hidden in the inner pockets of her coat). She donned the white, pearly flapper dress - it indeed looked much better on Marilyn than the hanger, and it came to just below her knee - then the large, brown coat. It had actually become rather cold that night.

[Nerine]

"Alright, Marilyn, let's go!" Sadie said, very excited. "Wait till they see you~!" Sadie had on a long dark pink dress, but it was formfitting on the waist with short sleeves.. It was a dress that Bernard would raise his eyebrow at, but would ultimately deem acceptable.

On their way downstairs, Bernard walked up to them as he always did when they went out to reconfirm where they were going and how late would be out. "Alright, young ladies...It is this Celia's you are going to spend some time with for the night?" He asked the question to both, but more pointedly to Marilyn, as he still didn't entirely trust Sadie to tell the truth about such things.

[Bye_bye_birdie45]

Marilyn smiled at Sadie's dress - it was quite pretty, especially on her sister's figure - and, when they got downstairs, she nodded at their guardian's question. "Yes, sir. We're going to Celia's home, and we will return before ten o'clock. If we can't get a ride in time, we will call."

That had been a rule, following the girls' attempts to catch a cab on the way home one night, and they returned twenty minutes after curfew. Bernard had been mad, and he almost spanked them, until he heard their reason why.

[Nerine]

"Alright..." Bernard said after a few moments of thought. "Well, I hope you enjoy yourselves. I'm sure you both look lovely. Can you show me your outfits for the night?" He said, not really suspicious, but more curious than anything.

Sadie almost squeaked when he asked that, and she froze, looking at Marilyn.

[Bye_bye_birdie45]

Marilyn could hear warning bells going off in her head, and she said as innocently as she could, "Mr. Lawrence -" Because she did call him that when she didn't say 'sir'. "- Sadie and I are nearly running late, and it's quite cold..."

[Nerine]

Bernard raised an eyebrow. "Not enough time to take a few seconds?" He was beginning to grow suspicious.

[Bye_bye_birdie45]

"I'm afraid not, sir," Marilyn said, shaking her head. In truth, they would actually make it early to the party, but she hoped he would just let her and Sadie go... Or that Sadie would back her up.

[Nerine]

"Yes, Mr. Lawrence, we really must be going..." Sadie took Marilyn's arm and pulled her toward the door. "I hope you have a good night!"

That was the final red flag Bernard needed. With that, he stepped forward toward Marilyn and grabbed her shoulder. "Off with the coat. Now, young lady."