Chapter Text
Tony!" Roger Healey called to his friend. "I want you to meet someone."
Tony was attending a cocktail party at Roger's apartment. He was standing along the wall in the living room, cradling a scotch-and-soda-on-the-rocks.
Tony looked at Roger. Accompanying him was a dark-haired middle-aged woman with fine-boned features, hazel eyes, and an olive complexion. She wore an emerald green caftan trimmed with gold thread.
"Tony, this is my neighbor, Madame Zolta." said Roger as he made the introductions. He then said in a stage whisper to Tony, "She's a psychic."
"A psychic, huh?" Tony replied.
"Oh, yeah." said Roger. "She knows everything about me." In a low voice, he said, "She can even talk to the dead."
"Really?" said Tony, feigning amazement.
"How do you do? It is a pleasure to meet you," said Madame Zolta in thickly accented English.
"Major Nelson!" said a cheerful masculine voice from across the room.
Tony followed the voice. Dr. Alfred Bellows and his wife Amanda were walking towards him.
Tony smiled shyly. "Doctor … Mrs. Bellows," he said with a nod as he greeted them.
"Doctor … Mrs. Bellows … this is my neighbor, Madame Zolta," said Roger as he introduced the couple.
"How do you do?" replied Madame Zolta with a nod.
"She's a psychic," said Roger to the Bellows'.
"Madame Zolta," said Tony. "Is there anyone who is trying to contact me?"
Madame Zolta closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and opened them again. "I see an older woman behind you," she said. "Aunt … mother … sister."
"My mother," said Tony.
"Ah, yes," said Madame Zolta. "Your mother. She wants very much to speak with you. I am holding a séance at my shop Thursday evening. You are all welcome to come," she said as she gestured to include Tony and the Bellows'.
"That sounds wonderful. We'll be there," said Amanda Bellows.
Dr. Bellows protested. "Amanda … "
"Oh, come on, Alfred … it'll be fun!"
Tony pulled Roger aside. "Roger, this woman is a fraud," he said in a low whisper.
"How can you say that?" Roger replied. "She contacted your mother!"
"She couldn't have contacted my mother," said Tony. "My mother is still alive."