Buzz Cooper started to knot his tie for about the twentieth time. He couldn't do it. "Jenna," he yelled, "come in here and tie this damn thing. I sure as hell can't do it!!" Jenna was busy herself trying to arrange her hair just exactly the way she wanted it. "In a moment Buzz," she replied. "I'm just about ready." 

     Buzz swore under his breath. If he was British, he thought, he would be saying things like, "why the bloody hell do we have to go to this blasted dinner party; and at Alan Spaulding's, no less." Buzz was not happy because he wasn't too interested in the arts and the theater. Besides this was Tuesday night and he wanted to watch NYPD Blue at 10:00 o'clock. The new season was beginning and he wanted to see Sipowitz do his stuff. Instead he could see himself  later in the evening sitting at the Spaulding dinner table with a bunch of arty dilettantes talking about the "theater" while his hero, Andy Sipowitz was ridding New York city of its criminal element. Oh well, he could record it on the VCR and watch it when he got home. 

     Jenna breezed into the room fastening a gold bracelet onto her wrist. "All right Buzz, what's the matter now?" Buzz held up his hand for her to stop. "Jenna, you're gorgeous. I don't think I've ever seen you looking so beautiful." Placing his hand on his chest and grinning he said slowly, "You take my breath away." Jenna reddened, looked down at the grey evening gown she was wearing and said, "Oh Buzz, that was such a nice thing to say. But we don't have time for such foolishness. You'd think we were a pair of  teenagers."

     Buzz reached out and pulled her closer, "Speak for yourself, Petula. I don't mind being a teenager again. In fact some of my best times were spent as a teenager. As for foolishness; I remember the time when this girl named Sophia --- but that's another story." Jenna frowned slightly, "You know Buzz  that's the second time you've mentioned this Sophia person. I recall you saying her name when we were rehearsing our famous sting operation against Jeffrey. We were drinking a soda out of the same glass at the time if I recall." Buzz laughed. "Boy what a memory!" Jenna smiled and said seriously, "Well Buzz it was a very pleasant memory for me. We were together which is  always pleasant for me, and we were planning the demise of Jeffrey Morgan, the man who was the cause of all our troubles."

     Buzz nodded as he wrapped his arms around her. He could see tears beginning to well up in her eyes. "Are those tears of happiness---I hope." Jenna nodded as she wiped her cheek. In an effort to lighten the mood, he said, "Well then, back to the foolishness." And with that he kissed her. "Buzz, you're messing my makeup." Buzz held her tighter. "Aw come on, let me mess up your hair too. Besides, it's early, and to quote a famous songwriter, ‘I'm in the mood for love.'" Jenna looked at the clock. "It's not that early and I don't want to be late to this party of Alan's. Don't you understand that Sir Derek Ashton will be there." Buzz grunted, "I know. According to you he's the greatest English actor since Sir Lawrence Olivier." "That's right, and we can put this ‘I'm in the mood for love' foolishness off  until later." 

     Buzz looked sad. 

     Jenna looked at the clock. 

     "Buzz! We don't have the time!"

     Buzz looked sadder.

     Jenna stomped her foot and sighed.

     "All right Mr. Cooper, but if we're late for Alan's party I'll never forgive you." 

     Buzz swept her up in his arms and with Jenna laughing they quickly headed for 
the bedroom.

     "Buzz, I told you we would be late," said Jenna in a voice that did not indicate she was too angry about it. Buzz was humming ‘I'm in the mood for love'. "I told you it would be worth it. It was--- wasn't it?" Jenna smiled slyly as she replied, "Yes Buzz it was utter bliss, if you must know. It's always utter bliss with you." Buzz beamed as he said, "Now it's my turn to thank you, and besides being a little late will allow you to have a grand entrance, that is, unless, one of those arty friends of yours is late too." 

     Jenna became serious. "Buzz, now that we have settled down we do have certain responsibilities. We have to be good citizens. We have to support the arts. This party of Alan's is to raise money for a theater repertory company to be sponsored by Sir Derek. You should be thrilled that an artist of his stature has chosen Springfield to be the site of such a great honor." 

     Buzz snorted. 

     "What's the matter Buzz?"

     "I forgot to set the VCR. Now I'm going to miss the season opener of NYPD Blue!"

     "Oh Buzz, how can you think of such a thing on a night like this? You can watch it in the summer during reruns. Tonight you're going to devote yourself  100 % to the arts."

     "How's my tie look?" asked Buzz.

     "It looks great since I tied it."

     Buzz grinned. "Well I"ve always been better at tying an apron behind my back than a tie around my neck."

     Jenna glared at Buzz. "You bloody well better be a good boy tonight or I will personally strangle you with that tie."

     Buzz nodded dutifully as he drove into the Spaulding driveway.

     A valet took over the car as Buzz and Jenna entered the mansion. Alan greeted Jenna with a large smile and then looked at Buzz. "Buzz, I was hoping that you would have something else to do tonight. Like watching NYPD Blue. But since you're here, try not to be too rambunctious." Buzz gave Alan a frosty smile and asked, "Where's Alexandra? Maybe we can shoot a few hoops before dinner."

     "Buzz!?" Jenna said in a reprimanding manner.

     "OK. I promise to be good."

     Alan grabbed Jenna by the arm. "Come let me introduce you to our honored guest." Buzz was left behind but he soon caught up just before they arrived in front of a distinguished silvery haired gentleman of about 50. But Buzz wasn't looking at him. He was looking at the beautiful woman by his side. The woman smiled at him and Buzz's mouth dropped open accompanied by a dumbfounded stare. The woman laughed out loud at this and seemed to be greatly amused by Buzz's antics.

     "Oh my," she said softly. "I'm sorry I'm affecting you in such a fashion Mr. Mr---?”

     Buzz flushed a deep red and stammered, "Cooper. Buzz Cooper."

     The woman smiled gently, "It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Cooper. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Gabrielle, Gabrielle Medina."

     Buzz Cooper stared intently at Gabrielle Medina and wondered at her resemblance to Jenna. Her hair was lighter with blond highlights, and it hung down to her waist, but her face was so like Jenna's that it made his heart skip a beat.

     "Mr. Cooper, are you alright?" Gabrielle asked with a quiet tone of  bemusement in her voice.

     Buzz wanted to answer but nothing came out. He looked at Jenna but she was 
deep in conversation with Sir Derek and Alan. He looked back at Gabrielle Medina and saw that quizzical look he had seen many times on Jenna's face when Jenna was trying to figure out what Buzz was thinking.

     "Uh, hem," he muttered. "It's very nice to meet you. Are you an associate of  Sir Derek's or something?"

     Gabrielle nodded as she said, "Oh yes. We met in Llanview when he was raising money for a local charity and we sort of hit it off. He needed an administrative assistant at the time and he thought I fit the bill. We've been together ever since."

     Buzz only heard half of what she said as he glanced uneasily at Jenna who seemed to be mesmerized by Sir Derek, but he plowed on. "So you're from Llanview?"

     "Not exactly," she replied. "I was brought up in Argentina. On a ranch, as a matter of fact."

     Buzz smiled. The way she said the word ‘ranch’ fascinated him.  It came out 
‘raunch’. He quickly wondered if Jenna would pronounce it the same way. He 
glanced again at Jenna, but she was still engrossed with Sir Derek and Alan. Harley and Phillip had joined the gathering so Buzz and his new found friend  Gabrielle were isolated to the side and rear of this group.

     "You know," he said turning back to Gabrielle, "you bear more than a passing 
resemblance to my wife over there." Gabrielle turned slightly to look where Buzz was pointing, and uttered a soft exclamation of surprise. "Yes we do bear a striking resemblance," she said as she squinted her eyes slightly staring at Jenna. "Your wife is very beautiful." Gabrielle's face flushed as she realized what she had just said. 

     Buzz chuckled quietly. "No need to blush. Both of you are very beautiful." 

     Gabrielle smiled shyly in gratitude at Buzz's remark. "I didn't mean to imply that I was...." 

     Buzz interrupted her saying, "Aw come on, you must have been told many times how beautiful you are. I tell Jenna how beautiful she is almost every day." 

     Gabrielle placed her hand gently on Buzz's arm and squeezed slightly. Buzz felt a quiver of excitement course through his body at her touch. "Your Jenna must be a
very lucky woman to have such a kind and considerate husband." Now it was Buzz's turn to blush slightly. 

     He was still flustered as he felt a tapping on his shoulder. It was Jenna trying to get his attention. He turned smiling broadly and tilted his head towards Gabrielle. "Petula, I don't think you've met Ms. Medina yet, have you?" Jenna turned towards Gabrielle and what she saw caused her to bring her hand up to her mouth and utter a small cry of amazement. Gabrielle nodded her head in a friendly fashion and smiled. 

     "Heavens," Jenna whispered, "it's like looking into a mirror." 

     Alan, who was standing beside Jenna, shook his head in agreement. "Yes Jenna, I noticed the startling resemblance when I was first introduced to Ms. Medina this evening."

    Gabrielle looked at Jenna and said, "I'm afraid we do look very much alike Mrs. Cooper, and as Alan has pointed out my name is Medina, Gabrielle Medina."

    Jenna paused momentarily before saying, "It's nice to meet you, and please call me Jenna."

     At this point, Sir Derek, who was now standing next to Gabrielle, exclaimed, "By Jove what an astonishing resemblance. Why you two could be sisters. I was aware of a certain likeness while chatting with you Mrs. Cooper, but now that you two are standing side by side, it's even more apparent. Of course your hair is different, but not much else. You know I can remember my Uncle William once telling me, when I was a young boy, I believe it was at Oxford, he was a proctor or something there you know, that we all have doubles walking about on this earth, and that we very rarely run into them. He said that's the reason we're sometimes accosted in a crowd by a stranger who mistakes us for someone else. I never thought much about it since the day he told me, until tonight, seeing you two stunning ladies together." 

     Gabrielle turned towards Sir Derek and said, "I agree with Mrs. Cooper, I mean Jenna. It is like looking into a mirror. I know Mr. Cooper was quite taken aback when he first saw me. Isn't that true Mr. Cooper?"

     Buzz's head bobbed up and down as he replied, "You bet. I did a Laurel and Hardy double take."

     Everyone laughed at this including Harley who was giving Gabrielle the once 
over. She glanced at Jenna momentarily with a curious expression on her face, which Jenna returned in kind. Buzz watched his daughter and wife giving these silent signals and shook his head. He knew the two of them couldn't wait to be alone to comment on this beautiful look alike who had suddenly popped up in their midst.

     Alexandra Spaulding swept into the room and joined the group saying, "Finish your cocktails because we have the most wonderful dinner prepared for Sir Derek and Ms. Medina and we don't want to disappoint the chef by not sitting down promptly."

     Gabrielle walked over to Alexandra and quietly whispered something in her ear. Alexandra smiled and said, "Why certainly my dear. I'm sure Buzz and Jenna will be delighted to be seated next to you, especially Buzz. In fact I'll put Buzz in the middle, between the both of you, and he can spend the rest of the evening trying to keep you lovely ladies straight." Again the guests laughed and again Harley shot Jenna a telling look. Alexandra  continued, "Now Buzz why don't you escort Gabrielle into the dinning room, and Sir Derek you can do the same for Jenna." 

     As the guests formed to enter the dinning area, Jenna hung behind Sir Derek 
and with her hand below her waist waved briskly at Harley, who seeing Jenna's 
frantic signaling slid in beside her. Jenna waited until Sir Derek was occupied talking to Alexandra before she whispered into Harley's ear, "I want you to put that bloody private eye brain of yours to work as soon as you can and dig up whatever there is to be dug up on my doppelganger up there who is clinging so sweetly on your father's arm." Harley winked her assent while thinking, ‘Jenna, you didn't have to ask. I've already made that my first order of business for tomorrow.'

     Jenna gently pushed Harley aside as she slid her arm under Sir Derek's and joined the rest of the party as they trooped in to the dining room.

     Buzz felt as if he were watching a ping pong match. Sitting at the dinner table between Gabrielle and Jenna he swivelled his head back and forth as he listened to the two women talk.

     Gabrielle began by asking about their family. "Do you have any children?" she asked. 

     Jenna replied, "Yes, we have two lovely boys. Coop and Rocky."

     Gabrielle smiled sadly. "I have an only son. His name is Al."

     "Oh you're married?"

     "No, we're divorced."

     "But surely you have custody of your son?"

     "No I don't. It's all so complicated." 

     "Oh?"

     Buzz's head moved in unison with the various remarks as he tried to keep up 
with their dialogue. 

     "That must be difficult, not having your son with you all the time. I don't know what I would do if I couldn't see and play with Coop and Rocky every day," Jenna said.

     Gabrielle nodded sadly. "If you only knew the tortured path I've traveled concerning my son, well, you wouldn't believe it. You really wouldn't."

     Jenna was about to inquire about this tortured path when Alan stood up from his chair and clinking the glass in front of him with a fork, tried to get everyone's attention. As the room quieted down he said, "It is my distinct privilege to introduce our guest of honor, Sir Derek Ashton. We all know what a great actor he is, and now, fortunately for us, he wishes to start a repertory theater company here in Springfield. We're delighted he's chosen our fair city, but as we all know a venture of this kind will take a fair amount of money, and that's why all of you wonderful people have been invited to this superb dinner." At this there was a polite round of applause. "But," Alan continued, "I think Sir Derek can tell you better than I what such a prestigious theater company can do for us. So without further ado, I'll let Sir Derek take the floor and give you a brief outline about this wonderful  idea." Again there was applause, only this time it was louder and lasted longer.

     Buzz glanced up at Sir Derek as he began his fund raising speech and noticed something about his eyes that he hadn't noticed before. There was a steely look to them and although Sir Derek put on a hail fellow, well met demeanor, his eyes, when looked at closely, contradicted that pose. Buzz thought Sir Derek's eyes were the eyes of someone you wouldn't want to cross. There was no kindness in them. They were as hard as diamonds and about as compassionate. Pity the man, or woman, who got on the bad side of Sir Derek. Buzz's thoughts along this line were suddenly interrupted by what he heard Sir Derek saying.

     "And as the Chairwoman of our fund raising committee I can think of no one who is more qualified or better suited for such a task than the lovely lady sitting here on my right, Jenna Bradshaw Cooper." 

     Buzz quickly glanced at Jenna, but she was already on her feet, standing beside Sir Derek. He embraced her and kissed her on both cheeks. Buzz frowned. He didn't like Sir Derek pawing his wife. Gabrielle noticed the look of disdain on Buzz's face and smiled to herself. Very perceptive fellow, she thought.

     Jenna was smiling broadly as she said, "I'm sure you can imagine my surprise when Alan and Sir Derek informed me earlier this evening that they wanted me to take on this very important position." Turning towards Buzz, she continued, " I haven't even had time to tell my husband  about this singular honor." Buzz forced a smile and nodded towards his wife. Jenna could tell he wasn't pleased, but she continued on. "So I will give it my best and I'm sure with your help that we'll meet or beat all our financial goals. I accept this important post with humility and with an anxiousness to begin the fund raising that will culminate in a theater that we can all be proud of." More applause.

     After Jenna sat down, Buzz leaned over and whispered in her ear, "I was wondering why we got invited to this shindig in the first place and now I know." Jenna turned towards him and said, "Buzz, this is a great honor and I'm very proud that Alan and Sir Derek chose me. You know I've worked for Alan before. In fact I ran Spaulding Enterprises for a while, if you remember. Alan must have been pleased with my work to have entrusted such a huge responsibility on my shoulders and it's something I would very much like to do." Buzz could see that she really did want to do this, and as usual, he couldn't refuse her anything, so he said, "OK, but don't go overboard." Jenna hugged him in gratitude and kissed him with more than a little passion.

     As the guests rose from the table Sir Derek leaned over and said to Jenna, "If you have a moment I would like to talk to you in private, that is if it's alright with your husband." Buzz gave Sir Derek a pained smile and said in a semi-jocular manner, "Quite all right old man. Just make it brief as we have to leave momentarily." Sir Derek's eyes flashed in anger in recognition of the sarcastic tone in Buzz's voice, but he quickly regained his composure and frostily said, "It won't take long Mr. Cooper. I just want to clear up some matters concerning Mrs. Cooper's fund raising job." Buzz nodded and Jenna got out of her chair and followed Sir Derek to a far corner of the dining room.

    "Relax Buzz," Gabrielle said. "I'm sure Derek won't keep her very long. He just wants to make sure she knows what this fund raising chairmanship means in terms of time and commitment."

     Buzz grunted and said, "It's OK. There's just something about him that doesn't ring true. At least to me it doesn't."

     "Why Buzz, you're talking about one of the most honored actors in the world."

     "I know. Maybe it's just me, but I can spot a con man a mile off and your Sir Derek has all the attributes of one to me."

     "Really Buzz, I've been working with him quite some time now and he certainly 
doesn't strike me as a con man, and believe me I know more than a little about con men."

     "No kidding. Anyone we know."

     "I don't think so, unless you know Max Holden."

     "Who's Max Holden."

     "My former husband."

     "Ouch. Sorry. I didn't mean to dredge up the past."

     No offense taken. Max was long ago, and I've moved on."

     "Good for you."

     Buzz glanced around the room and noticed Jenna and Sir Derek deep in conversation and he didn't like the look on Jenna's face. Something Sir Derek was saying was upsetting her. Her face was pale and there was a look of fear in her eyes. He could see her hands shaking slightly. He excused himself to Gabrielle and started over to where they were standing, and as he did so Sir Derek leaned over and kissed Jenna's hand, and quickly left the room.

     "Jenna, are you OK?" Buzz asked as he arrived at her side.

     Her voice quivering, Jenna replied, "Yes Buzz, I'm fine. Are you ready to go?"

     "You don't look fine."

     "Let's just leave. Please"

     Buzz hugged her and  put his arm around her shoulders, and together they 
quietly left the party.