Anita was able to coast the rest of the week, regularly stepping out to have a cigarette. She alternated between her Camels and Marlboro lights, show a preference for the Marlboros. Margie, her boss, usually left about 3 p.m. Friday and Anita planned to leave on the next elevator. Margie stopped by Anita's desk and invited her to have a drink with her. Anita thought she had made the bigtime. She would have to do without a cigarette a bit longer but that would be Ok. So, they sat downand had a drink. Margie reached into her purse and pulled out a surprise. "Actually, Anita, I'm a closet smoker," Margie said as she produced a Marlboro Red. "Actually, Margie, I smoke, too," Anita said as she produced a Marlboro Light from her case. Both smoked. Anita classified Margie as a freestyle smoker. Anita's French inhales impressed Margie. "How do you do that," she asked. "Well I watched some women smoke and I decided to copy the one who drew the smoke back like this." Margie tried and was less successful. "are you going home for the weekend," Margie asked. "Yeah," Anita said. "I'll have to cool it." "I never smoke when I go home and I only smoke on weekends," Margie said. "I started on my own. It's not helping with dating." Anita thought of all the interest she had attracted but didn't say anything. "I guess your mother doesn't smoke, either" Anita said. "No, she hates it," Margie said. "are you going to join the Late Bloomers Society," Anita asked. "No," said Margie. "Are you." "I plan to smoke there but not join. I guess Blanche will be surprised since I told her I didn't smoke. But if anybody has seen it happen before, it's Blanche." Both stubbed out their cigarettes and lit another. Anita found a smoking friend even if only on weekends.
