In town, she parked in front of the store on the street. She was hoping optimistically for something similar to a Party City or Party USA, but in a small town like this... She was thinking, by looking at the storefront, that she'd be making a trip to the next address on her list, in Shelton, on the way to Olympia. But just the name sounded like it was well stocked. But she'd rather support the local business, and not have to drive so far. She got out, thankful that it wasn't raining in town at the exact moment, so she walked into the store and looked around. It was mostly small party stuff- streamers, balloons, cards, plates, napkins, party favors...she needed big stuff. She'd have to ask.
She went up to the old lady behind the register with short white curly hair, thin rimmed bifocals on thin chains in front of faded blue wrinkled eyes. Her tight lips were pursed, but matched the color of her red long sleeve shirt and a horrible blue vest with the store's name embellished on the left breast pocket, and her name in the same fashion on the other side.
Keely gave her a warm, polite smile. Edith was the lady's name. "Are you one of those Hollywooders with the movie?" she asked, her eyes sweeping almost disapprovingly over Keely. Keely mentally rolled her eyes, and wondered if all the local merchants were as sour about their presence as she was.
She didn't want to ruffle any feathers. "You could say that," she kept the smile in place.
"Are you an actress?"
"No, I put together the sets for them. I was wondering if you could help me with a couple of things," she asked sweetly, pouring extra sugar on her words. When Edith just stared at her, Keely continued. "I'm looking for bigger things- like a disco ball, a couple of concert sized speakers, and a turntable of some sort. Also, if you happen to have any recommendations for a catering company." She waited, unsure if Edith was going to speak to her again. She watched the lady's eyes narrow slightly, but there was a new burn in her gaze.
"Which scene are you creating now?"
"You've read the books, then," Keely said gently.
"In our reading group. It concerns our town so we need to know. We get a lot of strangers in town now, because of the first movie, some causing trouble," she stated factly, but then she continued quicker, as if she'd needed that fact to be off her chest. She waited a minute, then raised her right eyebrow as she waited for Keely to answer her question.
"I'm creating the graduation party scene," Keely told her quickly.
Edith nodded. "You're already shooting Eclipse?" she asked, truly surprise.
Keely smiled. "Yeah," humored that Edith knew the series so well.
She leaned in slightly over the register, her lips turned up in a half smile. Keely instinctively leaned in also. "Have you met Robert Pattinson or Taylor Lautner?"
Keely laughed, and stood straight again. "I saw Robert for the first time very briefly this morning," she said, and then added because she knew Edith would want gossip, "on his way to make up."
Edith smiled for the first time, showing obviously false teeth. "I'm team Edward, by the way. I love him." She leaned in again and nearly whispered, "Did he say anything to you? I think you're so much prettier than that Kristen girl."
"Well, as much as I appreciate your compliment, all he said to me was, "Hi", and "Make up" as he ponted to the make up trailer. He just kind of stared the rest of the time until he was called away." She couldn't believe she was sharing her moment of the day with a complete stranger. A complete stranger who might not even like her for the simple reason of being a "Hollywooder".
Edith nodded again, this time in thought. "Hopefully that's a good sign," she sighed. "I'll get you the number for the caterer. Just a minute please." She rounded the counter and walked across the small store through an aisle of cards and wrapping paper, and through an open door to the back. Keely turned and leaned her butt against the counter as she waited for the phone number. It didn't look like they had any of the big things she needed, but she could get the plates and napkins here. She went to that aisle and picked out blue and yellow plates and napkins, and table cloths, then set them by the register at the same time Edith came back into view. She had a yellow post it note in her hand.
Behind the register, Edith handed Keely the sticky, then smiled approvingly at the supplies on the counter. "You've researched well, I see."
"Thank you." She watched as Edith rang up her supplies.
"One oh three ninety two, please." Keely nodded and pulled out the credit card given to her by Mr. Bailey and handed it over.
"Wow, never seen one of these in real life before," Edith commented, examining it before swiping it in the old fashioned readers attached directly to the computer. She handed the card back, then bagged up the plates and napkins. Keely looked at the two numbers on the sticky. One was for Forks Outfitters Bakery & Deli just down the street, and the other was for the same place as was next on her list, Gateway Rental Center. Guess it's off for a three and a half hour drive across the scenic countryside of rainy Washington.
She smiled at Edith, and collected all of her bags. "Thank you so much for giving me these phone numbers," she said gracefully.
"Oh, you're welcome," she said. "And if you happen to see Robert again, tell him I said hello and send him my way," she gave a wink. Keely supressed a shiver, and gave a final smile.
"Will do," not really, she thought. "Thanks again for your help." She turned for the door, and gave one last wave to the lady who was watching her as she stepped outside. Climbing into her car, she tossed the bags into the passenger seat. She put the address of Gateway Rental in her GPS, and was on her way. Letting her GPS practically drive for her, she let her mind wander.

She pulled up to the place called Gateway Rental Center, and her hopes lifted. It was definitely bigger than Jerry's. She found a place to park in the small lot, got out and locked her car. Inside, she didn't want to waste any time. This was a long drive and she wanted to get the stuff back to the house before she was done for the day, and she'd prefer not to do it in the dark. She surveyed the store and found an employee, then made a beeline straight towards him. He was facing the shelves, straightening the already perfect merchandise.
"Excuse me," she said softly, not wanting to startle him. He turned around.
"Hello, how can I help you?" His brown eyes studied her face.
She didn't expect him to be so young. Fresh out of high school if he hadn't already dropped out or was ditching to work. "Hi, I was wondering if you hapened to have a number things I could rent or buy..." She listed the things she needed as he led her to the beverage section first.
"I can show you these and then the disco ball, but the rest you'll have to special order with the manager." She saw a silver beverage fountain, about two feet tall and minutely detailed. She had to have it. She thought it would be something Alice would love to use. Picking it up, she asked the employee to show her to the disco ball. He nodded and turned, leading the way.
After picking up the disco ball, the employee took her fountain from her and led her to the font to talk to the manager.
"She's looking to special order some things," he told the manager, then turned and disappeared. Keely looked at the manager. He could have been only five years older than herself, dark brown surfer style hair, light green eyes. Small, straight nose, full lips. Kind of cute, but very innocent looking. He wore a name tag that called him Keith. Bland.
"Keith, I'm Keely. I need to find a couple of large concert-sized speakers, two long tables, two sets of moving, swiveling lights, preferably in red and purple, thirty sets of white blanket lights, and a turn table."
"Well, let me see what we can do for you." He led her to a small office around a corner, away from the public part of the store. It was a room of about ten by ten, bare cream walls, white popcorn ceiling, brown cement floor. He gestured for her to have a seat on the light wood dining table chair as he rounded the small wood table made up as a desk, with an aging computer and old blue corded phone. She could feel the superiority vibes rolling off of him, his narrow chest slightly puffed out. She shook her head and stiffled a laugh. He pulled out a catalogue from underneath a small stack of papers and began to leaf through. "So, Keely," he said, testing her name out slowly. "First, the tables and blanket lights will be the easiest." He found the page he was looking for, and typed something into his computer. He did the same for the blanket lights. "The speakers, moving lights, and turn table, well, I think I'll have to call in a favor for those." He reached for his phone.
"Keith," she made him pause and look at her. "I would, if at all possible, like to have them delivered to Forks, tomorrow sometime. The earlier the better," she gave him a warm, sultry smile, and looked at him up through her lashes. His jaw worked, but no sound came out and his eyes were large. She knew what it was like to dazzle people. Her smile grew slightly at the thought of Edward dazzling people.
"K-Keely, that wouldn't be- I don't think-" he stuttered.
"I'll pay both rush and delivery fees, within reason." She fluttered her lashes, inturrupting. She knew she was asking for a lot. "Maybe some gratuities- and mileage, of course," she added, hoping to persuade him further.
"L- let me see. It might take a moment," he rushed out on an exhaled breath.
"I'll be out in the store," she told him, excusing herself. She didn't want to hear what he would try to do. "Just ask them to name their prices." She rose from the chair as he nodded after her. As she went back out to the store, she silently hoped that he would be able to get what she needed.
She browsed around the store slowly, looking for any other inspirations. Then it struck her that she needed to make a couple phone calls. She found a quiet corner of the store and called the movers and scheduled them to be at the Cullen house at ten am tomorrow morning. She then called the caterer Edith had recommended.
She listened to their menue and made a couple suggestions, and ended up ordering Appetizer Kabobs and a thing called Little BLT's- it reminded her she hadn't stopped to eat. Hopefully after this. Completing her calls, she roamed the store again. About twenty minutes had passed by the time she'd heard her name being called in the distance.
"Keely?" She turned and quickly walked to the office and found Keith outside the door. "Keely, I have a few items to run past you." Keely nodded and followed him into his office. Sitting down in the chair, she saw his notes scribbled on a blank white notepad. "Here's the deal," he sat and folded his hands on the desk. Lame, Keely thought. "I can get all of your requested items to Forks by noon tomorrow, for the total of thirty five hundred," he cringed slightly, and Keely picked that up.
"That's a deal, but I want some paperwork drawn up." He looked relieved.
"Of course, let me type it up quick." Keely nodded as he wrote up then printed out the contract. When they were both satisfied, they signed and copied the contract. Keely paid, thanked him generously and left the store, fountain and disco ball in arms. How glad she was to get out of that place. Even if it was raining lightly. She walked quickly to her car and jumped in. Next was McDonalds, and then the drive back. She decided she didn't need to make a trip to the house tonight, if all was going to be there tomorrow, and she could bring this stuff with her then. Sipping on her cherry Coke, she went over her mental checklist and made a new one for tomorrow as she made her way back to the office.


Chapter Three