[morriss003]

Still working on "Kate's Movie Star."

“I want to take some pictures, Kate,” he explained. He retrieved his comcell from his bag. “Stand next to the car.”

So Kate stood next to his car and then behind it and then in front of it.

“Sit on the hood,” Runyon said.

Dutifully, Kate stepped onto the bumper and sat down on the hood of the car. The hood was not hot for the car had been in the shade for most of the day, but it in the sun now so it was a good moment to take some pictures.

Runyon snapped a couple and then he said, “Now, lay down on the hood, Kate.” Bored by now, Kate did as he asked, lying down on the hood of the car and then smiling when ordered.

When Runyon was satisfied, they got into the car and started back to Livingston. Kate was starting to have second thoughts about what had just happened. True, her swim suit was quite modest, but still. She had posed for pictures lying on the hood of a car! She thought about what her father would say if he saw the pictures and winced. Kate was about to question Runyon about the pictures when he spoke.

“What I would really like is to take some very special pictures of you,” he said in a suggestive tone of voice.

Kate was shocked, and she exclaimed angrily, “There’s no way I would ever pose nude for you, you jerk.”

Gottcha, thought Runyon.

In the wounded tone of voice that he had perfected for his first movie, he replied, “Kate! I’m surprised that you would even say such a thing. How little you must think of me to think that I would ask you to pose in the nude. I’m talking about getting some photos done by a professional photographer that I know. I’m really hurt, Kate.”

“Uh,” Kate said. Perhaps she had misunderstood, she thought.

Runyon switched to the stern voice that he had used in one of his early theater roles.

“Not only am I not suggesting that you posed in the nude, I expressly forbid you to ever pose in such a tasteless manner. Do you understand that, young lady?” he barked.

“Yes, Runyon,” Kate replied guiltily, wishing that she could sink back into the seat of the car.

“You are such an attractive person,” said Runyon in a calmer tone of voice. “Some professional photos would be a nice Christmas present for your father, don’t you think?”

“Uh, sure,” replied Kate feeling even more guilty.

“By the way, if it’s all right with you, I would like to purchase a new bathing suit for you.”

“Oh, sure,” answered Kate hastily, glad that he seemed to be placated.

“Then it’s settled,” answered Runyon. There seemed to be a triumphant tone in his voice now.

They traveled in silence for a few miles, and then some things began to occur to Kate. Her eyes narrowed as she considered that she had just agreed to accept a new swim suit from Runyon. She hadn’t even stipulated anything about the suit. She gave him a suspicious glance. He was staring straight ahead at the road, but he had a smug smile on his face.

“Runyon,” said Kate.

“Yes, Kate?”

“If it’s all right with you, can I have my new swim suit as a Christmas gift?”

“Sure, Sweetie,” answered Runyon, the contented smile not leaving his face.

“Oh, goody,” replied Kate sweetly. “I can’t wait for Christmas, so that I can show my Daddy the swim suit that you are buying for me.”

The smile froze on Runyon’s face.

“He normally wouldn’t be happy for any guy to buy me something like that,” Kate said confidentially. “But I’m sure that, in your case, it will be okay.”

Contented Kate leaned back in her seat. As he thought about Carlos’ reaction to Kate holding up a tiny swim suit on Christmas Day, Runyon tapped his thigh with the fingers of one hand and drove on.