by John Hummel

Created on: August 13, 2008   Last Updated: August 20, 2008

AFTER THE BALL

Cindy tossed the scrub rag into the bucket and rose to her feet, clutching the small of her back as she did so.

"Happily ever after, yeah right," she muttered, blowing a stray lock of hair away from her glistening brow and tucking it back under her tiara.

"Huh? You say something?"

She turned to see her husband standing in the doorway, adjusting his silk tunic.

"Who, me?" she said, feigning indignation. "No, just wondering aloud what it might be like to have a little help around here."

"What're you complaining about? I took you away from that wicked stepmother didn't I?" The prince brushed his sleeves, ridding himself of imaginary particles. "I'd say you've got it pretty good living in this castle."

She eyed him sourly, her lips pursed in a moue of displeasure. "I'd say you've got it pretty good living here mister. You're father owns the castle, you live here rent free, and you've got me, still washing floors! Pretty much lateral move for me."

"Relax, I said I'd find somebody didn't I? I've already interviewed a couple of candidates."

Cindy placed her hands on her hips and glared at him. "Like who? That Snow White from across town? She is not working here. Over my dead body!"

The prince took an apple off the table and began polishing it nonchalantly on the leg of his tights. "And why, may I ask, do you not want her here? She's a young lady trying to take care of those seven dwarves all on her own. I see nothing wrong with trying to help out." He bit into the apple with a loud crunch and began chewing noisily.

Cindy guffawed incredulously. "Dwarves! What are you, an idiot? Those are her kids you moron. Believe me, that girl is far from Snow White; but I'll bet you already knew that." She glanced at him from the corner of her eye and saw his face redden a little.

"Not just her!" the prince cried, sounding overly defensive. "I've interviewed others for the position."

"Like who?" Cindy crossed her arms and glowered at him.

The prince mumbled something.

"What?"

"I said Alice, okay? I talked to Alice too." He lifted his nose in the air and turned slightly away from her, offended.

"Psssh! That girl's in Wonderland all right. Talking animals and all that, what nonsense! If we let her into our home, she'll probably steal us blind to fuel her drug habit. And I bet if you threw a few shillings her way, she'd be willing to...." Cindy let her voice trail off, leaving the unsaid insinuation hanging in the air between them.

"I doubt she's as bad as all that. Besides, you act

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