InsaneJournal

Who: Effie and Glinda
Where: Fundraising Dinner Event and Silent Auction
When Mid July
What Random Encounter
Status: Complete
Rating: Low/None


Effie knew this was the sort of thing she was going to do. She didn’t have to work, but she had to find ways to fill her time, ways to use her energy. Her husband suggested that she start volunteering for things. So here she was, rubbing elbows with the other well-to-dos, trying to figure out who was who, and who she needed to meet to get on the right committees.

There was a silent auction going on in the large hall. Dozens of items sat on tables with descriptions and pads for bidding. Effie had her glass of champagne and was slowly walking the length of one wall, looking down with mild interest at the different items on the table. She wondered which she should bid on. If any.

“They’re all frightfully dull I’m afraid” Glinda whispered to her friend as she came up behind her, having spotted her from across the room. Glinda went to this kind of thing a lot, always had. Previously she’d found it boring and tiresome but since starting her fashion house used it as a way to garner interest and also, since starting her teaching course, used it as a break from studies.

“The best part is watching who bids on what and working out who is having a spat with who. It’s rather amusing to see how high they’ll bid just to get one over on each other” she grinned.

“Glinda!” Effie’s voice cried out in excitement and surprise at the sound of her friend. She turned to wrap a social but affectionate arm around Glinda’s body, and gave her a friendly squeeze. “I’m so glad you’re here to show me how this all works. It’s different up in New York, you know. Everything about California is so different!”

Glinda beamed at her friend and returned the hug rather more enthusiastically. “It’s so good to see you. I love that you’re here. How long are you here for? And what’s the hubb doing now?” she asked, hooking an arm with Effie’s. “Oh don’t you worry you’ll know everyone soon and until then I shall be your guide”

“Not long. And I have no idea! You know it’s really not my business what his plans are.” Effie said, playfully. But she grinned nonetheless. “I think he’s going back into politics. After a decade away, though, I don’t know if anyone remembers his name.” She let Glinda lead her away from the silent auction and toward the bar. “Wonderful! I can’t think of a better guide.” That part she said quite honestly. “Tell me everything there is to know about everyone who’s anyone in Southern California.”

“Oh my. Well I hope he has some good people behind him, I can’t imagine that’s going to be easy and it is all about appearance and popularity” Glinda commented before leading her friend to the bar. They needed a nice glass of bubbly each, “Thank you. I do rather know everyone there is to know” she acknowledged, “Well the first person you need to know is Tony Stark...” Glinda told Effie about the most well known and wealthy people in the county.

“He’s putting together a team. And he wants me to establish myself here, so… that’s what I’m doing!” Effie said, grinning playfully. She followed along with Glinda to the bar, and accepted her champagne with a bright smile to the bartender. She went quiet while she listened about all of the who’s who in the county. By the end of the lesson, they’d lapped the floor a handful of times and ended up sitting out on a beautiful balcony with a fantastic view of the county. “Well. It sounds like I’ve got some sucking up to do.”

“Stick with me and you’ll be fine. I’ll make sure you meet and get to know those you need to. And those you don’t want to but should for the connections” she added cheekily. “It’s not so bad once you accept these things for what they are. Oh and of course there’s the new clothes you get to buy for them. You should come by my fashion house sometime” she suggested.

“Oh, absolutely! I’d be thrilled to! You’ll have to tell me more about this fashion house, too. I’m intrigued.” Effie said, grinning over her flute of champagne. “One other thing you need to tell me. How early is too early to head home? I’m exhausted and tired of looking at silent auction pieces I know I’m not going to bid on.”

“Well that all came about with the help of my accountant” Glinda said, “It’s doing wonderful, I’d love you to come and see sometime. We’ll find a perfect dress for you” she smiled , “Oh we can leave anytime now. Especially of you aren’t bidding on anything. A few others have already left so as long as you aren’t the first it’s always fine”

“Then let’s get out of here. I’m desperate for a shower and to crawl into bed!” Effie said, then stood and held a hand out to help Glinda up. “Do you need a cab?”

“I know that feeling” Glinda agreed smiling, “No, I have a car downstairs. I can drop you off if you like” she offered as they made their way through the throng towards the exit. Glinda knew these things would be much more bearable with Effie around.