"But Dad." Mary complained. "Avie isn't just a friend, she's my sister-in-law."
"Oh?" Mr Masters raised an eyebrow. "Did she marry your brother?"
"No, don't be silly. Her brother married Rita. And you know that perfectly well."
Mr Masters grunted. He wagged a finger at Avie.
"I'll have no nonsense from you girlie."
On that he turned and stalked away. Mary winced and gave Avie a small smile.
"Sorry about that."
"That's ok. Gee, you seem a bit more up front lately."
"Yeah, I know." Mary replied, almost gleefully. "Mum reckons Babsie is being a bad influence on me."
"She's not even living in Australia any more."
"I tell her the exact same thing. Then she's says something about Babsie being like a piece of bubblegum stuck in the carpet; you can't get rid of it completely."
Avie laughed.
"I'm sure Babsie would love that."
"Probably." Mary agreed, then paused. "It's not you personally. It's just the whole rock star thing you know. Mum and Dad are convinced that all rock stars are obsessed with drugs and sex and stuff. And c'mon, let's consider how many people are in your family. It's not helping to change their minds."
"I don't understand it at all. That people can stereotype and generalise like that."
"I know. It's totally stupid." Mary sighed. "I'm sure if they could come around, everything would work out. I don't think Rita would hold a grudge."
"No, I don't think so either. Babsie might not be so forgiving though."
Mary giggled, then quickly sobered.
"I really with they would talk to Babsie. She's always full of great ideas and stuff. See, ahh, I probably shouldn't be telling you this, but, ahh, the club is in some serious financial trouble. Our impersonators? Well, since The Weird started, they've been getting more publicity and better gigs and stuff, so they haven't been performing here as much. It's so hard getting entertainers."
Avie didn't answer for a moment.
"I think I have an idea. I'll have to talk to some people first, but if they agree, I think it could change things around."
Mary studied Avie for a moment.
"You'd better be careful. Or Mum'll say Babsies' rubbing off on you as well, you little schemer."
Avie laughed.