The Lesbian Element
But she did all she could to keep her thoughts on track. She agreed with Angie and they went on to say that their current living arrangements perhaps aligned with the couple story, but living in a Stark mansion was perhaps less believable and more suspicious. Angie said perhaps they could say they were sharing an apartment. Some little dingy thing. That made Peggy laugh and she replied, “I suppose that makes the most sense.”
And Angie replied, “'Course it does. Don't ya worry, I ain't a spy, but I ain't thick or nothin', and don't you forget I'm an actress. We can pull this off easy peasy! With me on ya side you ain't got much ta worry about. Just that Dottie...”
“Alright, well, I don't suppose you'd have any tips then, Miss Martinelli? As an actress you may have this all under control, but I'm not certain I'm as apt as you,” Peggy told her, thinking of the bar owner. The idea of owning a such a bar, well, it seemed like a dangerous thing to do, she figured this Miss Miller would have to be at least sturdy, and strong. She was sure to be protecting all the girls. Something like that. Peggy would have to be a convincing... she realised what she'd just asked. Perhaps it had sounded like flirting...
“Oh well, I ain't lettin' ya slip up, now my skills are finally appreciated by someone I ain't gonna refuse a few lessons.”
“Oh... lessons... I see.” Peggy replied with some uncertainty. Perhaps this wasn't flirting... she wondered is she'd just been presumptuous. She also felt guilty when a wave of disappointment washed over her at the realisation. She'd been all too caught up... thinking about this feeling, she'd forgotten about the seriousness of the situation. Dottie for one thing. She couldn't let herself forget about Dottie, lives could be at stake here. She felt so awful and guilty, how could she let down people like this, and be so selfish!? Surely Angie couldn't be thinking that way! It was disrespectful of her to think that way, and it was disrespectful of her to wish that Angie would flirt with her! She couldn't believe her own...
“Alright then, Darlin'.” Angie cut off her thoughts with a pet name and her adorable accent. Peggy tried not to think about such things... how attractive accents were and the like. It proved a difficult task. “Seein' as you ain't completely new, we don't need a beginner's course, but you ain't perfect. Even if you look it.”
Peggy blushed. Angie's couple acting, outside of the lessons themselves were rather distracting, and perhaps even a little misleading she felt. Despite all the guilt and worry... she was beginning to feel a little frustrated at Angie. Well, two could play at that game.
“Alright then, Sweetheart.” Peggy replied, trying to stop her voice from wavering, and trying not to look nervous as she avoided direct eye contact with Angie, she then placed her hand over Angie's, hoping Angie hadn't noticed how it shook as she had allowed to move, in the air, without anything to support it... she hated how shaky she became... it always happened when she was nervous. She felt felt her face and neck becoming uncomfortably warm... perhaps her shirt was too tight... suffocating even, she tried not to think to much and focussed on her next words, she had never been good at new things like this. She needed practise. And real practise, not jumping in with the real things. "Let's get started."
Angie smiled and winked at her playfully, "Sure, darlin'! Well, I guess I don't know what exactly ya know... like, you done stuff like this before I reckon."
"No, never."
"Never? I thought you'd acted a heap for stuff. Ain't ya good at lyin' with all that 'phone company nonsense'?"
"Oh. Well, lying I suppose. I have done it a little. But Angie I never have done something like this before, is what I meant. I've lied a little, but this is different." Peggy bit her lip, and tried not to put to much pressure on Angie's hand. She wondered if she could move it, but maybe that would be too awkward.
"Different? Oh... ya mean?" Angie's heart sunk a little, but she tried to hide it. She'd really been enjoying teasing Peggy like this, but was she really just making her uncomfortable? She hated the thought.
"Yes, I've never play acted a relationship before." Peggy replied, blushing, trying not to think too much about her hand, still on Angie's. How long was too long?
"Oh. A, uh, relationship? She you ain't got no problem with the lesbian part?" Angie rushed over the word. Lesbian. In certain company she loved to use it freely, but anywhere else it felt sort of dirty. Uncommon. Odd and secret... She blushed a little. She hoped Peggy wouldn't notice, although Peggy seemed to be doing a fair amount of blushing herself. It was like one of those words that people knew existed but they never really said it in polite company. She could feel Peggy's hand on hers still. Fluctuating in pressure. She wondered what was on her mind.
"Oh, no, Angie. That's, uh... not what I meant. It's more that I've never acted as if I were in a relationship with someone before," Peggy made sure she said 'in a relationship' an not 'in love with' very carefully, then she went on hurriedly, attempting to assure Angie that she had no issue with the word. "When really I wasn't. At least not for long. You know, I've had odd ploys and quips here and there; 'Yes we're Mrs. and Mr. so-and-so.' before I punched their lights out. But never so long as to actually convince anybody."
"Oh, sure, good. Alright." Angie wasn't sure how convinced she was, but she was glad at least that Peggy didn't want her to be offended. Perhaps she really didn't take any issue with the word. Perhaps, even, it just embarrassed her because she felt herself wondering about her own romantic... feelings. Angie internally shook herself. How ridiculous. All this wishful thinking!
"Don't worry Angie, the lesbian," Peggy stillfelt strange saying this word, but did her best not to look it, "element of this mission plays no part in my uncertainty and, uh, lack of experience." Suddenly Peggy realised what she had just said... would Angie pick up on that!? She couldn't believe. She had pretty much just admitted to having prior lesbian experiences... this was ridiculous, and embarrassing, and she couldn't even begin to imagine what Angie would think, or say. How on Earth does one react to that? She slowly pulled her hand away from Angie, in embarrassment and uncertainty. She felt clumsy.
Angie wondered if it were an accident. Of course she knew what Peggy what had implied, but did Peggy know what she had implied? Whether it was on purpose or not. Well, Peggy wouldn't have pulled her hand away like that if she hadn't understood the implications... surely. So awkward, and uncomfortable. She wondered if it were true... Peggy would have noticed all her flirting and advanced, surely. And, if that were true, then surely her responses were all subtle hints at something. That she was either interested, or wasn't. If she'd had prior experience surely she could tell what Angie was meaning when she'd offered her a 'cup of sugar.' So why hadn't Peggy taken it? Angie felt a little frustrated... Peggy never revealed anything properly, it always just seemed to make her wonder more and more desperately whether Peggy was aware of her advances or not, and what she thought of them.
"Well, good. I ain't gonna have to help you with the experience then..." Angie joked. She wondered how Peggy would respond to this, if she'd been too bold. Maybe Peggy was just shy and needed more time, "We can just talk about whatcha need to know."
"Alright, good." Peggy replied, clearly blushing.
"Okay, so I guess we should start with some stuff I learned from, uh, Elaine." Well, actually Elaine had learned this stuff from her, but she didn't want to let on. She then realised that, if they met up with Elaine, and started talking too much... too in depth or something, this might come up. Elaine might say how she'd been a mentor to Angie. But then, she didn't know if she could have that sort of conversation right now. She hadn't the energy or the heart. She just wanted to tease Peggy a little without all these uncomfortable thoughts and catch Dottie. Dottie the criminal, she reminded herself. This was why they were doing all this. To catch a real life criminal. Ellie was in danger and all she could think about was whether or not Peggy knew that Angie had a crush on her. She began to feel very, very guilty and sighed, "So, let's get started."
Peggy nodded very seriously.
So she began to explain the ins and outs of lesbian secrets. She told Peggy that, of course, she could just be new to all this. What with just getting with Angie and all that. She could just say that if anyone asked her, and if she was confused about anything, she could just ask Angie, but for now Angie would just explain the basics, and then they could into the 'pretending to be in a relationship' thing. Peggy agreed promptly, and began to take note.
Physical notes, in fact. She had a pen and a little book and everything, "Just to make sure." she told Angie. Which Angie found a little... okay maybe incredibly endearing.