Mari Jo Mason was head of the the Jabot Cosmetics art department. In early February 1994, a mysterious woman contacted Blade Bladeson and told him she read about his upcoming marriage to Ashley Abbott and wanted to see him but he refused. Later, Blade couldn't identify the “Mari-Lyn” who sent him and Ashley a painting as a wedding gift. Afterward, Blade told Marilyn not to call him again. In time, Marilyn met Ashley's brother, Jack Abbott, and told him her name was Mari Jo Mason. Ashley credited Jack’s new upbeat manner to the mystery woman he was seeing and then suggested that they, Blade and Jack’s new lady have dinner one night.