The ditz gets it done

This is from my oldest WIP, The ditz gets it done, I actually have a completed first draft of this, but it's been through so many different incarnations, I barely recongnize some of them.
this is from the first one. I'd love to know what you think.



Pageants as an institution were dying a slow, slow death. It was up the few ceremonies that had survived the massive overhaul of ‘Scholarship Programs’, to keep the tradition alive. Grace and Marilyn were practically buzzing with anticipation, if the pageant went well this year it would mean years and years of sponsorships and word of mouth. I was feeling a bit of the nervousness myself even though I really had nothing to lose. It wasn’t the unsteady feeling of actually competing in the pageant, it was all the things I had forgotten in my few years absence. I liked the energy and the seriousness of the girls. They really, really wanted to win, for lots of reasons. I had wanted to win for my Mother, but a great deal of these girls wanted the notoriety or the feeling of a crown on your head. It is a nice feeling, but I had only wanted the approval of my Mother, which proved more elusive than the holy grail. I thought about all the fun I’d had competing when I was young. Cassie would go with us, and she cut her teeth taking photos taking candid shots of me while I would get ready or when I was being crowned. As I got older, the stakes got higher and the people got more and more businesslike about winning.
“Hey, Ellie, do you remember me?” A man who is vaguely familiar snaps me out of my thoughts. I smile automatically, “No, I’m so sorry, I just can’t place you.”
The man’s face falls and I feel just a teensy bit guilty, but I’ve met so many people in the last hours, not to mention all the people I’d met during my reign and my years on ‘the circuit.’
“Roger Angel, you know, Vanessa’s brother.” It clicks into place suddenly, and I smile again, this time genuinely. Vanessa Angel had been almost as good a friend as Cassie was. She was a diehard pageant girl from a diehard family. Her two older sisters had both been Queens in 1996 and 2001, it was almost assumed that Vanessa would win the year we finally had our chance, and it was still considered a major upset that I won. As a matter of fact, when I had my major foot in mouth moment, Vanessa’s mother, who could put my mother to shame in the fierceness department, petitioned the owners and the board of pageants to dethrone me.
I had no problem with Vanessa even though her mother and mine were sworn enemies, she was more than gracious when I won, even helping me with appearances in her hometown and hosting a welcome home MAR party when I was home finally.
“Of course, Of course how is Vanessa?” I ask, studying Roger, who looks like his sister from the dark hair to the mile long lashes.
“Oh, she’s fine, you know she’s working in California now, doing the news.”
“Well, that was always her dream, wasn’t it?” I ask, laughing, thinking of all the times I’d watch Vanessa mimic Meredith Vierra or Katie Couric.
“It sure was, and she got started as soon as she could, I’m pretty sure she was fine with not winning, you know.” He says, patting my arm. I grin again, “So what in the world are you doing here?”
“Well, Mother finally finagled a seat on the board and I work for the network carrying the telecast.” He responds.
“Ah, I see.”
“Well, it’s been great to see you, but I don’t want my Mother to hang me for talking to you.”
I laugh at his little joke, but whisper, “Is she still mad?” I really wonder how I got this job if she was still bitter about Vanessa.
“I don’t think so, but I don’t want all these pretty ladies to get jealous.” He says, his breath warm on my cheek. I take a step back to clear my head. The combination of Vegas and whatever cologne Roger is wearing makes my vision swim. He takes my elbow, “Are you OK?”
“Yes, I’m fine, I just need to sit for a minute.” I was just happy that I’d had a reaction to a man other than Stephen. He leads me over to the table and tells me about his nieces and nephews, as he gingerly lowers me into the plush conference room chair, I hear a tight voice behind him, “Well, I see someone works just as fast as she used to.” Vanessa and Roger’s mother states, and I see Roger go stiff at the sound of her voice. My eyes widen as the woman I’d secretly referred to as ‘Cruella’ steps out from the shadow of her son.
“Ellie.” She says, extending her hand. The small, long fingers are dripping with rings and I take the limp hand in mine as Roger smiles at me weakly. “ While I’m trying to formulate something to say, we’re interrupted by a commotion on the other side of the room. There is a scream and a crash as a disheveled Miss Michigan clambers into the room.
“She was just, oh my god, she’s…I only left her alone for just a minute or two….” She babbles, as everyone rushes towards her. I catch sight of her through the crowd, she’s crying and still trying to talk. Like everyone else I surged towards her, but stop dead when I catch sight of her mint green dress, a lovely summer weight shift, but completely ruined. It was covered in blood.