Fame and Fortune, Part 3

Fame and Fortune

Part 3 - Fame Grows


   The next day, Cindy and Andrea were starting to study at Cindy's.  Cindy
reached for a cigarette and lit up.  She offered one to Andrea who readily
accepted.  The two smoked and studied for an hour and a half, during which
time they each smoked one more.  Andrea was rapidly improving in algebra
thanks to Cindy's one-on-one guidance. She was also growing an appetite for
Fame.  She told Cindy she was happy with her progress in math so far and
decided to go home.  The girls agreed to another session the next day.  Before
Andrea left, Cindy asked if she wanted to smoke another cigarette.  Andrea
answered yes and they sat in the living room to have one.  While they smoked,
Betty passed through and noticed both Cindy and Andrea holding cigarettes.
She paused as Andrea took a puff similar to those she'd seen Cindy take.
After watching Andrea's full exhale, Betty had mixed emotions.  She was proud
of Cindy for doing what she was told to do by the makers of Fame, but at the
same time unable to understand why she seemed to enjoy smoking.  She hoped
that over time it would become easier to view scenes like she just watched.
She continued on in silence.  

   Andrea had noticed Betty looking at her and after Betty left the room said,
"Your mother saw me smoking just now."

   "So?  It's no big deal Andrea," Cindy took a drag.  "She won't rat on you."

   "I guess I'm just a little nervous."  Andrea took a drag of her own and
inhaled.  She was forming a smoking style not unlike Cindy's.  Algebra wasn't
the only thing she was getting better at.  When they finished their
cigarettes, the girls said goodbye to one another.

   Cindy caught up in her own homework before dinner then ate with her
parents.  She lit up afterwards, finishing her cigarette before leaving the
table.  Dave spoke, "I've noticed Cindy smoking a little more lately.  I'm not
happy with it."

   "I know it's hard but try to be supportive.  I'll try to talk to her about
it while you're away this weekend."

   "That would be good.  It will be one less thing on my mind while I'm at the
conference.  Speaking of which, I better pack if I'm going to leave on time
tomorrow."

   "I'll clean up here then come and give you a hand."

   Cindy spent time in her room finishing her homework.  She finished with
enough time to watch some television with her mother, who was relaxing in the
living room before turning in for the night.  Dave was still getting together
a few things in his bedroom for his trip.  Cindy had a cigarette while
watching the program.  To Betty, it seemed like smoking was becoming second
nature to her.  After the show ended, Cindy got ready for bed.  A half-hour
later, Betty decided to do the same.  

   The next morning, Dave awoke and had a quick breakfast.  He looked with
disdain at the pack of Fame 100s sitting on the table.  Sure, the money was
good, but he worried about Cindy's growing habit.  He hoped Betty's talk with
her would help.  He went to the bedroom to wake Betty before leaving.  He woke
her gently.  "I'm on my way.  I should be home Sunday night."  He kissed her
and set off to his conference.

   Betty spent a few minutes lying in bed before she got up to make breakfast
for herself and Cindy.  Soon Cindy entered the kitchen with a half-smoked Fame
100 between her fingers.  After an exhale, she said, "Good morning mom."

   "Good morning Cindy.  Your father said he'd be back from his conference on
Sunday."

   "Ok mom.  Andrea will be coming over after school again today for some more
tutoring."  She sat down and sipped her coffee.  She finished her cigarette
and ate with her mother before getting ready and leaving for school.  That
afternoon, she returned with Andrea in tow.  They said hello to Betty and
prepared for their studying.  "Tell my mother the good news Andrea."

   "I got an 80 on my algebra quiz today," Andrea said as Cindy was lighting a
cigarette.

   "That's nice to hear.  I'm glad Cindy's help is paying off for you."

   "It sure has.  Can I have one of those Cindy?"  Cindy extended the pack to
her and she took one out.  Cindy gave her a light.  Once it was lit, Andrea
drew deeply.  She exhaled and said, "Thanks, these are so good."  

   "I know what you mean," Cindy said, exhaling through her words.

   Betty took in those words as well as the look of pleasure on the girl's
faces.  She would examine those things later when she spoke to Cindy.  For
now, she'd let them study.

   Cindy stayed for two hours, smoking twice more before leaving.  "Thanks for
everything Cindy.  How can I ever thank you?"

   "It was my pleasure.  I enjoyed teaching you.  You really are cool."

   "You're the best.  I'll see you in school Monday."  Andrea left and Cindy
went to talk to her mother who was in the kitchen reading.

   "I'm so glad Andrea is doing better now."  She reached for the pack of Fame
100s on the table.  She put one between her lips and lit it."

   "I'm happy for you dear."  Betty watched Cindy exhale and went on, "We need
to talk."

   "About what mom?"

   "About this whole smoking thing.  Your father and I were talking and we
notice you smoking more each day."

   "What's the big deal mom?  I love it and they're free."  She took a puff
and inhaled deeply, savoring the feeling.  In a few days, she had transformed
from a non-smoker into someone who loved to smoke.  Getting Andrea to smoke
made her feel good because she got to share that feeling with her.

   "No big deal Cindy, I've gotten used to you smoking.  I'll admit, seeing
Andrea smoking was strange, but she seems to enjoy it.  Tell me what it feels
like to you."

   "It feels so good mom, you have no idea.  When I inhale it warms me inside
and it tastes good.  I do want to do it more."

   "Cindy, I've decided something.  If I have to watch you smoke then I want
to know for myself what it's like before I talk to your father about it."

   "Are you saying you want to smoke one?"

   "Yes I am.  You say you enjoy it so I'd like to try it."

   "Here, take one," Cindy said, sliding the pack of Fame 100s to her.  Betty
opened the box and took one out.  Put it in your mouth and light it.  Just
blow out the first puff, then inhale the next one."	Betty did as she was
told.  When she inhaled she felt the warmth in her chest. When she exhaled,
she was amazed at the stream of smoke she saw.  "Not bad mom.  Take a bigger
pull and hold it in a while.

   Betty took her second inhale and felt no hint of discomfort.  As she held
in the smoke, she felt her body tingle.  She exhaled and the feeling got a
little stronger.  She liked it and without instruction began another drag.
She held this one in also and was rewarded with a more intense tingle.  She
exhaled the smoke and said, "I had no idea.  So this is why you and Andrea
like it."

   After exhaling herself, Cindy said, "I knew you would like it.  I think
everyone who tries it will like it."

   "It's actually better than I thought it would be.  I might have to take
these people up on their free use of product offer."  Mother and daughter sat
together talking and smoking.  Betty liked her newfound Fame.  It was nearing
time to eat, so Betty prepared a meal.  When it was done, she and Cindy ate.
Cindy lit her now customary after dinner cigarette.  "I think I'll have one
too," Betty announced, reaching for the pack and taking one.  She lit it and
took a long puff like she'd seen Cindy do so many times recently.  She inhaled
and held it, exhaling only when she felt the sensation returning.  "It doesn't
take long to get used to these does it?"

   "No mom.  When I tried it with Gina, I fell in love with it fast."

   "If I keep this up, I might fall in love."

   "What's stopping you?  Just take one when you want one."

   "Maybe I will," Betty said, taking another puff.  The two finished their
cigarettes and cleaned up together.  She was watching TV later and saw a pack
of Fame 100s on the table.  She felt an urge to have one.  She gave into it
and reached for the pack.  She extracted one and put it in her mouth.  She
picked up the lighter, brought it to life and lit her cigarette.  She blew out
the first puff.  She followed it with her longest pull yet.  She briefly held
it in her mouth before sucking the smoke into her lungs.  She held it and the
tingle returned to her.  She exhaled and began thinking.  After trying Fame,
she no longer thought Cindy's smoking was strange.  She understood now.  It
made her feel exquisite.

   Cindy came in the room smoking a cigarette.  She saw her mother smoking and
said, "That didn't take long."

   "I just wanted to try it again."

   "You can't fool me mom.  I know how these things work."

   Cindy took a puff as Betty responded, "You're right Cindy.  Now I know what
it is about these things that are so enticing.  This is only my third one and
something inside me tells me there will be more."  She smoked twice more that
night.  With each puff her mindset changed.  Fame was good - good enough for
her and good enough for Cindy.  And it was good enough for Cindy to get others
to try.

   When Cindy awoke the next day, she lit up a Fame 100 and went to the
kitchen for breakfast.  As always, her mother was there and the food was
ready.  The difference this day was that Betty was smoking while drinking her
morning coffee.  "I see you figured out that smoking and coffee go together
well."

   "I certainly did.  These things are good enough alone, but when I lit up
while drinking my coffee both tasted better."

   "That's why I've been smoking and drinking coffee before breakfast.  You
should try one when you first get up tomorrow."

   "I'll do that."  They finished their cigarettes, ate and each enjoyed
another afterwards.

   That afternoon the phone rang.  Cindy answered it.  Andrea was on the other
end.  "Hi Andrea, what's up?"

   "I was wondering if I could come by for a visit."

   "You want to study on a Saturday?"

   "Not exactly..."

   Cindy put two and two together.  "Come on over, I'll be here with my
mother."  She looked at her mother who was sitting next to her smoking.

   "Thank you.  I'll see you soon."

   "Bye Andrea."  She hung up the phone and took a drag from her Fame 100.  

   When Andrea arrived, Cindy and Betty greeted her and the three went to the
living room.  "What brings you here on a Saturday?" Betty asked, knowing the
reason before she heard it.

   "I was sitting at home and I started to get this feeling inside.  It wasn't
like I was hungry, but I wanted something.  It got worse the more I tried to
ignore it.  Then I thought about the past few days studying and smoking with
Cindy and it hit me that I wanted a cigarette.  That's why I called.  Can I
have one please?"

   "Sure Andrea, here you are," Cindy said, offering her one.

   Andrea took it and quickly put it in her mouth.  Betty took the nearby
lighter and offered the flame to its tip.  After blowing out the first puff,
Andrea pulled harder that ever and inhaled her deepest.  Seconds later, she
felt a tingle inside.  She exhaled.  "That feels better, thank you."

   "You're welcome Andrea," Betty said.  "You really enjoy smoking, don't you
Andrea?"

   Andrea finished another inhale before saying, "I do Betty."

   "If you want, you can have some to take with you in case you get that
feeling again and I'm not around," Cindy said.

   Andrea didn't like the way that feeling was.  What if it came and she
couldn't get here.  "I'd like that."

   "They're five dollars a pack."

   "That's cheap.  I've seen signs in stores for more than that."

   "And you can't buy cigarettes in a store.  You already know you like the
taste of Fame."

   "I don't think so Cindy, I'd just like to smoke this one.  I feel better
now anyway."

   "Suit yourself," Cindy said.

   "You're welcome to stay a while after you finish that if you want to
Andrea," Betty said.

   "Thank you, I think I can stay a bit."  They all talked for an hour when
Cindy lit up again.  Andrea was surprised when she wasn't offered one.  "Can I
have one Cindy?"

   "You can have a whole pack for five dollars.  I'll even give you a
lighter."  She noticed Andrea considering it.  She took a puff and exhaled it
at her.  She saw her try to breathe some of it in.

   "Ok, I'll take a pack," Andrea said, reaching for her money.  Cindy gave
her a new pack and lighter and took her money.  She opened the pack and took
one out.  Hurriedly, she put it in her mouth and grabbed the lighter.  It lit
easily as she brought it to the tip.  The tip began to glow red as smoke
entered her mouth.  She blew it out and took another pull that she inhaled.
She looked at her new pack.  Fame 100s was written on it.  She put them and
the lighter in her pocket as she exhaled.  Five dollars wasn't that much
money.  She then saw Betty reach for the pack on the table and take out a Fame
100 and light it.  "I never saw you smoke before Betty."

   "It's a fairly recent development, but one that I'll keep for a while."

   "I just thought of how you can thank me for tutoring you Andrea."

   "How's that?"

   "Let me help someone else.  Got any friends that need help in school?"

   "My friend Caitlin could use a hand."

   "Why don't you bring her by someday?"

   "I'll ask her the next time I talk to her."  She stayed a few minutes
longer after finishing her cigarette before returning home.

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