I was beating the pants off of Nell at poker, as usual, when _she_ walked in. She was some hot tomato, with stilts up to here and a mug that would have put Helen of Troy to shame. I took one look at this dame and suddenly started to feel _real_ self-conscious. &quot;You're very pretty,&quot; Nell said, but from the acid in her voice, I could tell it wasn't a compliment. &quot;Thanks,&quot; The tomato replied, smiling. &quot;Could one of you girls be a dear and go and fetch your daddy? I've got business to discuss.&quot; I laughed. &quot;Looking to hire a private dick, are you?&quot; The tomato turned up her nose at me. I guess she wasn't in the mood to answer to a couple of kids. &quot;That's right, sugar. Now go get your papa…&quot; &quot;What's the name on the door?&quot; I asked, smiling sweetly. The dame glanced at the door, then back at me, a surprised look on her mush. &quot;That's right, _sugar_,&quot; I said. &quot;I'm Stella Starr. And I'm your dick.&quot; &quot;But you're just a girl!&quot; &quot;So are you. I'll try not to hold that against you, though. So, what can I help you with?&quot; 2007-10-26T21:52:35Z http://ficlets.com/feed/story/12182 <p>Yes! I loved it! Nice twist, there.</p> http://ficlets.com/stories/12182?basename=19889 2007-10-26T21:52:35Z Laine P. Grey http://ficlets.com/authors/lainegrey <p>great dialouge, im glad you entered Stella Star in the gumshoe challenge, it&#8217;s one of my favorite ficlet series.</p> http://ficlets.com/stories/12182?basename=19825 2007-10-26T16:33:17Z SKermitgorf http://ficlets.com/authors/kermitgorf <p>You just keep knocking them out of the park.</p> http://ficlets.com/stories/12182?basename=19807 2007-10-26T12:22:46Z Hobo Beard Bob http://ficlets.com/authors/hobo_beard_bob