Snapshot of a Life in the 1920's.

Newkirk, Connecticut, 1923.

Residence of the McConell family.

Flash! 27-year-old Andrew McConell blinked his eyes rapidly. The minute the photographer lowered his camera, his little brother Michael was tearing out of the room. He was a young pup of 21 years, always up to something and constantly jittering like he'd drank 12 cups of coffee. Of course, his little brother was the only person Andrew knew who was insane enough to do something like consume that much caffeinated brew.

"Shouldn't you at least change first?" Andrew called after him, as he raced from the room.

"No time, give Nancy a kiss for me!" Michael replied. Andrew stiffened at this, and replaced his expression with the thin-lipped mask his father also wore when he was reminded of something displeasing. The eldest brother stood up from his chair, and cast a glance at his other brother standing to his right. Of the three of them, James was the one who looked most distinguished in a suit, fitting as the 25-year-old wanted to be a college professor. After his tenure traveling Europe to study foreign languages, that is. Yes, both of his little brothers had big dreams.

Andrew sighed. If only the same could be said of him.

"I really don't get why Father said we had to take our picture today of all days, he knew Michael had that autoshow he's been raving about seeing. Not to mention our dates with Anne and Nancy tonight."

James was perpetually criticizing their father, but only as retaliation for the constant badgering their father gave him in turn. The wealthy businessman that he was, Andrew McConell Sr. wasn't too fond of the idea that his second son would rather study than make big bucks. He often muttered about how James should get a real job rather than spend all his time as a student at college.

For all his knowledge however, James was a bit socially unaware. Andrew reflected upon this as he crossed up the stairs of their house to change into a slightly less formal suit for the picture show tonight. For example, braniac Jamie had absolutely no idea that Anne was completely uninterested in him, and only went with him on dates because she liked moving picture shows.

Combing his hair in the mirror, Andrew was privately glad of this, because Anne was the flighty sort who would drag whatever man she married around on wild goose chases. He frowned at this remembrance. No way would he let Anne do that to his little brother should she suddenly take a genuine shine to James.

Then there was the matter of Nancy...Andrew wasn't sure if he wanted to join James in obliviousness to his date's feelings. She was 27, same age as him. Lovely as they came with long blonde hair and grey-blue eyes. His heart pounded and butterflies fluttered in his stomach when he remembered her breathtaking smile. She wasn't just Andrew's date, but his fiancé. The matter was, he had no idea if she actually loved him sometimes. Nance was incredibly warm one minute, and cold the next. He just didn't understand it.

Andrew glanced at the clock. 5'o clock. The girls were being dropped off.

Just now, Nance's father was walking into the house, with Nancy and Anne at his side. Andrew walked down the stairs and offered a warm smile at his fiancé.

"Hi, Nancy." He greeted.

"Hi." She replied shortly.

Andrew's smile vanished. It was cold Nancy tonight.

James came to stand at the foot of the stairs beside him. Michael burst in through the dining room door.

"Andrew, James! You wouldn't believe the new engines I saw, they were amazing! And-Oh, hi girls." Michael grinned at the ladies. He had oil smudged on his incredibly expensive suit, Andrew noticed with pain.

Nancy smiled at the 21-year-old.

"Hi, Michael."

"You four had better get going, and have them back by 8'o clock, gentlemen." Nancy's father winked at Andrew approvingly.  

With that, Andrew put an arm around Nancy and started leading the way.

"...You think tonight's show'll be good?" He asked, trying to start a conversation.

"...Yeah. Andy?"

"Yeah?"

"...I need to talk to you later."

Andrew blinked.

"About what?"

Nancy refused to meet his eyes.