:’I can’t get anything past these two, Marie. OK, girls. Here we go again.’Once upon a time, there was a very pretty princess named Marie. She w...s riding a bus to Iowa when she met a handsome prince named Clark. . .’ He was telling them the G-rated version of the story of how he and Marie met and married. The story began one day, when Clark got on the eastbound bus headed to nowhere in particular. His only certain destination was Ottumwa, Iowa and then to Northern Missouri to the home of his. "A picture builds up in his mind, clear and vivid. He'd been at his desk, shuffling papers aimlessly. The presentation for Fowler's Fabrics refused to take shape."Hey, Sam!" One of the steady processions of office boys, lank hair curling down over his collar. "Boss wants to see you."He looked up, an automatic protest rising to his lips. "The name is Mister Jackson..." But the boy was already turning away, heading for the water fountain or the john."You wanted to see me, Mister Craddock?" Come. " By the sound of it," said Cindy, "he must have hidden talents."Vikki laughed so hard it almost brought tears to her eyes. "You could say that Cindy, you could say that."We said our goodbyes and were just about off when Sean called us back. "Maybe we could get together and show off each other's hidden talents. Except--" he said looking Vikki and Madeleine up and down again "--that yours might already be on display." Oh I think we might have some things you haven't seen," said Vikki."Madeleine. Ah, Cletus, my son says you made some offer..." The pool?" I jerked my thumb behind me. "Yeah, we talked about it. Come on in -- we're letting the cold air out." I backed up.She entered the house cautiously, as if expecting me to be harboring a half-dozen sluts. There was no doubt in my mind that she'd seen me bring home entertainment. She looked around uneasily, but the place was in good shape -- the maid had come through earlier in the day. I didn't let women leave their mark on the place,.