1927 New York

Liz Bennet woke up earlier than usual, for her clock showed only 7am. She wouldn't have to get up until half an hour later, but after a silent argument with herself, she sighed and sat up: a new, and probably an unpleasant Monday had begun. She tilted her head looking at Charlotte Lucas, her roommate. Her mother was into those Victorian romances, and "Charlie" as she was called by her friends, had to suffer all through school, because of the outmoded name. Impulsively Liz jumped up from the bed and five minutes later, a thoroughly grumpy Charlie was brushing her teeth alongside her lifetime pal.

Breakfast, but not conversation, were sparse: one could not afford much on a shopgirl's salary, and the Brooklyn studio they shared cost plenty.

Liz smiled at Charley, who was pouring out some tea: "How was your doubling up with Judy last night, Charlie?"

"Not that great: we went to a club, but the guy Judy's Al brought for me didn't seem to be too interested. And he downed so many straight whiskeys, he was unable to escort me home, and *I* had to pay for his cab. Men!" she sighed in disgust. "If I could find a solid, dependable guy, I'd marry him so quick he won't know what hit him: anything's better than working at Nether & Field's.

"What about you, Liz? Your night go OK?"

"It wasn't bad" remarked Liz absent mindedly. "But that dance was quite a crush and...oops!"

A few minutes later they were running toward the streetcar: Mr. Lowell, the head clerk, was not lenient to late salesgirls.

They made a study in contrast: Charlie: plain, sensible-looking, her hair unfashionably long and straight, almost an old maid, the eldest daughter of a large family. She, just like Liz, came from Yonkers, and whatever were her hopes, they were never romantic, she being of an extremely practical turn of mind. Liz was the total opposite: dark haired, vivacious and with a sense of humor, her hair was fashionably bobbed, and she was not above (on infrequent occasions) to powdering her knees! If there were admirers' notes to the girls' room, the chances would be they were for Liz.

She was one of 5 girls: her father had a small family business, which he always meant to pass to his son, but George Bennet Jr. was killed in the trenches in 1918, and the not-so-prosperous business was going to pass into the hands of the distant cousin, whom the family had never met: Mr. Bennet being too tired to run it, and his daughters unable to help. Liz was alone in the "Big City." The family could not afford to have an idle mouth, and she and Mary, her younger sister, a librarian were the two sisters to help out. The two youngest: Kat & Lydia were too young, and too absorbed by movie stars, boys and any members of the species "male" in general to be a particular help. And Joan, the beauty of the family was off to make her way (unfortunately as the ladies' dresser) in the touring Broadway show.

Liz would have been very lonely without Charlie and vice versa.

The girls have gotten to the store 5 minutes before the correct time, but their triumph was not long: Mr. Lowell approached the two with a serious face. They breathed easier when he halted within a few feet of them and announced in his slightly stentorian tones: "Young ladies, I have to announce that the store had been sold over the weekend (there were worried gasps at that), and the new owners, Mr. Bingle and Mr. Darcison are coming to expect it in half an hour.

The news was too delicious to be passed in silence, as soon as he left, the girls started to talk excitedly. Then the big clock struck 9 and the store doors opened to admit the customers.

Liz had only time to whisper to Charlie: "Darcison & Bingle. I wonder what will happen now."