Zenith,Mishap,Vengeance

Rosy is a well-known heroine. Before she joined films she worked as
maid in a rich man's house. Her greatest asset is her pretty face. She
is also a competent actor. The film magazines have always tried to rake
up her humble past. They are quick to point out that while Rosy plays
rich, spoilt girls on screen she was born to parents who cut grass for
a living. Whenever Rosy is asked questions about her origins she says
this, "Look at this face. Anyone who has this face does not need to
have rich parents." Most people regard Rosy as a haughty, self-centred
person. And they are right. Rosy is shooting for her new film
'Beautiful Dreams' today. Her role in this film is similar to that in
many others before it. She plays the daughter of a wealthy man who
falls in love with a poor idealistic youth. The first shot will be
ready in ten minutes. The shot requires Rosy to stand near the edge of
a large lake and say a few words. Rosy has memorized her lines. It was
now time to give the last touches to her make-up. For this she called
her personal makeup-woman Beauty to her spanking new van. The name is
not wasted on Beauty. Or that is how it was till the accident. This
accident left Beauty with a diagonal scar across her face. That single
scar has turned magnificent Beauty into the repulsive person she is
today.
" Touch up my lipstick, ugly woman" said Rosy to Beauty. Beauty
shuddered at the harsh words spoken to her. But she submissively said,
"Yes madam" The lipstick was attended to. Rosy went out to give the
shot. Ten minutes later commotion was heard outside. Rosy's spot boy
came into the van and almost fainted as he said, "Rosy Madam is
dead."
Lily is an aspiring star, the type film magazines call 'starlet'.
Thanks to her liaison with aging hero Ian she has landed a few
important roles. She is throwing tantrums all the time. She has
replaced Rosy in 'Beautiful Dreams' and has been given that heroine's
makeup van. She begins work today. "What a horrible unit. I don't even
get a new van" complained Lily. "Hey Ugly, isn't your name Ugly, you
bet it is. Give me a foot massage" said Lily to Beauty. Beauty smiled
sweetly and said, "As you please ma'am" and began to do as told. That
night Lily was found dead in her apartment wearing complete makeup. The
police were puzzled. The forensic reports in both Rosy's case and
Lily's indicated that death had occurred through poisoning. But neither
method of murder nor motive could be established conclusively.
Donna has been in show business for the last five years. She began
with small parts but is now being considered for strong second leads.
She has recently acquired a secretary and is looking for a personal
makeup-woman. The actor Ian who is her cousin suggested Beauty's name.
Beauty was called for an interview. Donna found Beauty to be quiet and
efficient. She became part of Donna's staff from the next week. Donna
is currently working in the film 'Simple Village'. For the next day's
shoot she required the no makeup look. Beauty was able to create it
without much trouble. After the day's work was done Donna invited
Beauty to have tea with her. She asked Beauty about her family and
responsibilities and the latter was pleased to talk about it. One of
Beauty's lipsticks was lying on the table when she left. It may have
been a mistake but Donna took the lipstick home. She opened the
lipstick and kept it thus on her dressing table. Her cat came and
licked the lipstick and died instantly.
The game was up. Beauty had killed both Rosy and Lily using her
poisoned lipsticks. The motive was interesting. Beauty had been rather
proud of her natural good looks ever since she became aware of it. When
the accident spoilt her looks forever she was truly devastated. She
felt threatened when anyone said anything about her present ugliness
specially if the remarks came from an attractive, popular lady. So
great would her anger be that she would be tempted to kill that person
at the first opportunity. Lily and Rosy had both fallen prey to
Beauty's wrath.