Wolves Clothing

The actress Bianca Howell flourished from a young age, and by the age of 52 the notorious star had appeared in over a hundred films and a handful of TV appearances to maintain a level of approachability. Born into a dynasty not defined by its glamour, Bianca's family attempted to radiate grace and poise to overshadow the source of their inherited wealth. So as a matter of pride it was an expectation they would never simply be the children of a pig farmer.

Bianca’s mother birthed six children. Bianca intruded as the surprise 7th addition to the brood of Howells interrupting the quiet peaceful life of a family is settling into routine and not cooing over bubbly mounds of pink flesh. And while many mother’s who exhausted the idea of birthing another child are often pleasantly surprised by the flood of maternal sensations, Eleanor Howell resented Bianca. Eleanor had depleted her maternal eagerness by the time Bianca could present herself to society. Her father, Franklin, also nonplussed by the miniscule achievements of his youngest, maintained a minimal yet powerful presence over their hollow life on the Howell Hog farm. Even the youngest of Bianca's older siblings found her pleas for attention daunting and pathetic as they were nearing the age where they too would be departing the home.

Paul, one of Bianca's two older brothers, was born prematurely and his sharp features are said to have mutilated Eleanors womb leaving a horrifying incubator for the arrival of the twins, Vera and Velma. The advantageous and conniving Paul fancied himself entitled to inherit the pig dynasty despite his three older siblings, lack of inherent skill and absence of a likeable personality. Paul compensated for his lack of good looks, athleticism, charm, and personality by loudly boasting of his wealth and privilege. No surprise when the only love interest to pursue the Baron of Swine was equally as maniacal in climbing her way up the social ladder of agricultural wealth.

Although conceived and delivered simultaneously, Vera and Velma were the only twins who would have to preface their arrival as “the twins” because as far as looks and personality, one would assume the two were strangers. Vera’s green eyes often drifted in the middle of conversation. Her gaze was vacant and her sentences drifted into the air as the words slid off her lips. Her mouth framed every statement uttered, as a question she was unsure she should be asking. In contrast to Vera’s whimsical, often flighty presence, Velma possessed a piercing energy . Her green eyes alert and darting in urgency in every direction, even behind her. Unfortunately for her, the distinguished point of the Howell nose complimented the slender frame of her brother Paul better than Velma’s robust build. She spoke loudly and shrill with a confidence unwavered by facts.

The Howell family’s eccentricities created a veil elusive enough to be intriguing among the elite society. Paul and his wife, Tessa very publicly voiced their struggle in securing their inheritance. Vera was the proud owner of a heart blessed twice over whenever she solicited a thought or musing. Velma was often described as a handsome woman and a world class sharp shooter, yet always unsuccessful in finding a prospective suitor. The three embittered older siblings still living at home were constantly bickering and scheming for an ounce of affection from either parent. Predictably, they grew incensed at the idea of Eleanor having a 7th child. However, traditional values silenced the remaining Howell childrens’ objections. So if not for the highly valued opinion of others, the world would never be graced by the theater ingenue Bianca Howell. While presenting it’s challenges, being the youngest in this spectacle of a family served as the catalyst for her career.

The Howells dismissed their governess years ago when Paul began his studies at Columbia University, and therefore, quickly adapted to the untimely burden of their new arrival. Young Bianca endured being whisked away to every auction, gala, and premiere attended by her parents. She narrowly avoided the insecurities and frivolity accompanied by a normal childhood. . Eleanor carved Bianca into the perfect accessory to flaunt at the rotary club dinners. Silence and obedience on Bianca’s part would benefit her as she grew older. By the age of nine, Bianca colluded with the girls invited by Mr. and Mrs Howell to befriend Velma and Vera. Utilizing her knack for theatrics Bianca served as a distraction for the older girls to sneak cigarettes and champagne on the veranda. Every so often, Bianca would dramatically flail in urgency grasping her throat indicating she was choking. This would allow the other girls to scurry off with their loot and escape the clutches of the dull Vera and aggressive Velma.

Bianca impishly maneuvered her way through adolescence despite the shadow of envy cast by the twins and Paul's seething rage at how this manipulative mishap garnered the attention of numerous wealthy suitors who proved stiff competition for his inheritance. Bianca understood if she wished to escape the legacy of the family of pig farmers, her ambitions would need to broaden beyond the narrow scope of her brother’s narrow skull.

Bianca made her debut as a lady of society at the age of eighteen as was expected of the young women of certain social standing. Having grown up surrounded by the peers of her parents and siblings, and few her own age, Bianca’s debutante ball consisted of close acquaintances of her father and older brothers. As other events she attended, Bianca was expected to balance conversation with an appropriate amount of flirtation. She often found herself using the coquettish charm to disarm the cold nature of guests of her parents. Typically these would be older men with shiny red cheeks and shinier white moustaches that were stained yellow at the lip from their tobacco pipes. They would linger in dark corners for the hour of opportunity when a young debutante imbibed just a bit too much. Pauls’s colleagues would slither through the party spreading vicious gossip about their wives while sliding one hand up the skirt of the coat check girl. It is no surprise with such a bleak outlook on her prospective suitors, Bianca beamed with delight at the arrival of her oldest brother Mark at her coming out party.

Mark had moved away from Manhattan after college finding work writing for an ad agency in California and rarely visited his home. In fact, after this evening, the 60 year old bachelor would only return twice. Once for Bianca’s opulent wedding to Peter, the commercial director who had accompanied him to the soiree and once again for the reading of their father’s will.

Mark and Peter wanted to find a young actress for the face of a new campaign they were angling. . Mark explained to Peter that Manhattan socialites presented less of a challenge than the beach bunnies back home. They were not fame hungry, but still had a certain dignity to prove to their household if they chose to pursue acting. While making the rounds thanking her guests, Bianca seized the opportunity to educate herself on the advertising industry. As Mark and Peter revealed the purpose behind their trip, a plan revealed itself to Bianca. She had no intention of losing this opportunity to a milquetoast Vasser girl. However cunning her attempts to shield Peter from the clutches of the few desperate ladies in attendance, she could not escape the desperate clutches of one in particular, Paul's wife, Tessa.

Tessa and her upturned nose caught a whiff of opportunity and inevitably interjected herself into the business end of the conversation. Bianca already had Peter on her web. He found her breathtaking and intriguing. However, he was a professional and offered both young ladies the opportunity to audition on Monday morning.

“YOU LUNATIC BITCH” Tessa’s shrill voice screamed as she stormed frantically down the corridor of the Biltmore toward the elevator. Tessa raised her middle finger in a less than elegant gesture toward Bianca as she descended in the elevator to the lobby. The belligerent Tessa violently shoved the swinging doors to the dining room where Franklin, Paul and the twins were enjoying a quiet breakfast. Paul leaped out of his chair, audibly gasping at the sight of blood oozing out of his wife's face and trailing down her yellow nightgown.

“Your sister is a wild animal and she needs to be caged as such.” The words gurgled from her mouth spewing in the direction of Paul’s crisp white shirt. “That crazy bitch broke my nose. She told me not to show up to the audition and when I laughed she smashed a vase over my face.” Paul and Franklin urgently made room for Tessa at the table. Vera was kind enough to inquire, “oh no, are you hurt?”, while Velma executed the proper procedures for treating an open wound. Ignoring the redundancy of the twins, Tessa wailed “she broke my nose.”

In the calamity, Bianca strutted through the dining hall nonchalantly placing what looked like a few random shards of a tea cup on the plate next to Tessa. “And apparently I broke a tooth.

The family only speculated the capacity of Bianca’s ruthlessness. This incident solidified her as a worthy adversary. For the first time, Franklin Howell smiled in delight as his daughter asserted her seat at the family table.

Bianca walked away with her first role as an actress. Subsequently, she agreed to move to California with Peter and her brother, provided Peter made an honest woman out of her. The happily married couple, briefly honeymooned for a few months in California before having to return to Manhattan when Franklin Howell passed away. Peter and Bianca travelled home a few weeks ahead of Mark to offer comfort to the newly widowed Eleanor. Eventually, all seven of the Howell children found themselves seated at the mahogany conference table of their father’s estate executor, Morris Cohen. Mr. Cohen proceeded to address the family who sat with bated breath as he revealed the rumored changes Franklin made in the last two years of his life.

Eleanor sighed in relief upon finding her sacrifices to Franklin as the matriarch of these malevolent vultures did not go unrewarded. She rightfully received a substantial sum providing her with the comfort of the lifestyle she had grown accustomed to living through her final days. The trinkets and assets were divided as expected and finally Morris prepared himself to deliver the anticipated news of who would inherit Howell Farm.

Mark inched closer and closer to the exit as the proceedings dragged on. He lurked in the door frame of the musty office curious if his father had a last minute change of heart regarding the decision to fulfill his life in California. Bianca’s older sister’s Abigail and Nadine had no real interest in entertaining the idea of running the farm as they both had married into distinguished families. They merely stayed as a courtesy and morbid sense of entertainment. The tension among the remaining children was palpable. Tessa refused to make eye contact with Bianca, and if it so happened that they both took a glance at the same moment, she would haughtily turn her head in the direction of Paul. The twin’s were satisfied with their bounty and were not deluded enough to have any higher expectations. Despite all the unaffected parties, none of the Howell;’s expected the shocking stipulation of the late Franklin David Howell, III’s last will and testament.

Regarding the estate of Howell Farm, I hereby bequeath the land and property to the first of my natural born children to provide me with a

grandchild. The first to produce an heir, male or female, will be

given 100% ownership and title to Howell Farms and any

subsequent subsidiaries.

Paul’s face pulsed and twitched, first rushing with blood as he shouted across the table, “Where does he get off wanting a grandchild when he is dead?” The color quickly drained into a pasty dull gray as he revealed the embarrassing defeat Tessa faced in providing an heir. Paul snatched Tessa by the wrist and yanked her out of Morris’s office. Mark slunk into his body disappointed and relieved that he would no longer be expected to carry the burden of the Howell Farm. The rest of the children made their way out of the office. Already, the wheels were turning for Bianca.

Everyone else in the family fondly embraced the notion of a future without children especially after enduring the interruption in the form of Bianca. It only stood to reason she would be the only viable option for bearing a healthy heir. But before she could clutch her lower stomach with gilded excitement, Peter snidely remarked. “I guess that leaves whatever poor schlup ends up with Vera.”

Bianca deliberately turned her entire body to face the audacity of Peter. She clutched his hand to her stomach so forcefully he almost mistook the gesture for a threat. “Don’t count us out of the running dear.”

Peter fancied himself a persuasive conversationalist, yet found himself stammering for the words he would need to gently disappoint his new wife. “Bianca, you just signed a contract with the Warner agency for the next five years, you can’t have a baby.”

“Why Peter you are absolutely correct, I cannot have a baby, however WE are perfectly positioned to move forward with our lives as young parents. I am sure the studio will have an understanding if we have to renegotiate the terms of my contract” Bianca clutched his hand tighter assuring her husband he would not be having the final word. She knew that her predicament needed to change quickly if she were going to follow through on her newest ploy.

Upon returning from the macabre events in Manhattan, Bianca promptly apologized to her husband that evening. She conceded that he was right and there would be plenty of time for them to start a family. Peter received her apologies willingly and foolishly.

Much to his chagrin, Bianca announced they would be expecting their first child in the fall. Peter found himself distraught by the betrayal of his wife. He was a young director attempting to establish a foothold in the Hollywood industry. Presenting a budding young actress with promise to major studios would help him garner the success he sought after. This was a slight to his profession.

“Bianca, if you go through with this, I will never work again in this town, how do you suppose I provide for you and a child if I can’t get work?” The desperate man pleaded with the starlet, unwilling to admit the humility he would face living off the wealth of the Howell Farm. Peter found quickly that marrying into the Howell family came with a staggering amount of manipulation and deceit. This fact he briefly ascertained in the falling out between he and his partner Mark and now with Mark’s youngest sister Bianca. Barely two years into their nuptials, Peter faced a difficult decision that would put his morality against the mind games of the Howell children.

Bianca relished in the halo of attention surrounding her growing bump. Peter seemed to dote on her hand and foot. He was the strongest supporter of her bed rest and not overstimulating herself with guests. By the start of her third trimester, Bianca found herself peculiarly isolated from the adoration of her new suburban friends. As she approached her due date, she found the only contact she had with the outside world were messages relayed to her from Peter. Despite the absence of any friends at her baby shower, Bianca proceeded with her pregnancy blissful and satisfied with the measures she took in securing her future. Her guard was down as the notion of motherhood washed over her. The once observant and suspicious Bianca, found herself in her most vulnerable state unaware of the impending betrayal.

A home birth was Peter’s idea. While she was still a relatively new star, he convinced Bianca that the presence of the press would only make for a stressful delivery. Bianca sat in the privacy of her home, legs spread in the ultimate humility in front of her husband and doctor. The agony of birth putting so much strain on her petite frame, Peter urged the doctor to give her something for the pain.

Bianca slowly regained consciousness as she heard the first cries of her beautiful daughter. Her eyes struggled to focus as she sat up extending her arms toward the blurry bodies in the room. The disembodied voices whispered urgently, “quick, she is waking up”, followed by the click of the door.

“Where are you taking her, I want to hold my baby?” Bianca frantically cried out. “Where is she? Give me my baby Peter.” She swung her legs to the side of her bed to stand. Blood rushed from between her legs staining the beige carpet beneath her. Bianca stumbled backward into the bed as it began to sink in.

Peter took a step away from his wife as he confessed his plan to have Paul and Tessa raise the baby as their own. They would benefit more from inheriting the farm and Bianca could continue her budding career.

Bianca clutched her sheets and began to tremble as her husband broke the news. Her wailing and howling bouncing off their bedroom walls through the late hours of the night. Bianca sobbed uncontrollably at this betrayal by her husband and brother. This declaration of war from the men in her life burned revenge into the forefront of her brain. Bianca absolved that night between her hysterics, that she would not be the victim of this story and her revenge would not be swift.