CHAPTER 111: A Question Of Hemlines

 

"Tsch, shocking!  Disgraceful!  Scandalous!" George Sneedley tutted to himself as he looked on at the mannequins in JF&S Clothiers; a haute boutique for the well dressed and well off.  He was on an early morning walk through Magnolia Promenade as that was his way of getting exercise without having to run or lift things.

The fashions of the day appalled him with their revealing neck and hemlines.  Grown women were now dressing like naughty schoolgirls and this led to a generation of long haired, randy young men chasing them.  The wedding dress he was looking at was particularly in bad taste...too snug fitting around the shoulders and bosom and way, way too far above the knee.  He thought of his own wedding to Edna and how wonderful she had looked in her grandmother's bridal gown...ah, the Edwardian era, thought George: How more elegant were things then?  Of course, they had to rush their own wedding arrangements because it was 1950 and he was just about to be shipped off to Korea and the war.

George left the boutique and headed home where Edna was already up and watching the news.  It was about another war, Vietnam, where the story was that USAF planes had clashed with North Vietnamese jets for the very first time since the American involvement in the conflict began.

"I didn't know the North Vietnamese had jet fighters" said Edna to George.

"They'll have got them from the Chinese or Soviets, dear" he replied.  "Same with back in my day...the North Koreans relied on the Chinese"

"Anyway...how did you walk go this morning?" she asked.

"Mostly fine" he replied.  "It's a nice day, the waterfront was pleasant and I think I spotted a heron at one point.  However, what is being sold in the shops under the description 'fashion' is shocking"

"I know...I know...you can really see standards dropping over the last year.  This is what happens when there are no longer decent female role models for young women to look up to...they've traded in Jackie for something called 'Twiggy'.  Oh if only we could have our delightful former first lady back as the inspiration for the younger generation."

"I quite agree, Edna, Mrs Kennedy and....Marilyn Monroe" he said, wistfully.

"Well, I never quite got the appeal of Marilyn Monroe myself" said Edna, knowing that Marilyn was George's pin-up idol when he was in the Navy.  "But a Grace Kelly...or Princess Grace to give her the correct title...there was a lady!"

"Ooh, yes" said George enthusiastically.

Edna stood up all of a sudden.  "I have an idea!" she exclaimed.  "I propose that you and I go and visit one of these so-called 'fashion boutiques' and investigate how they are corrupting womanhood!"

"When shall we do this?" asked George.

"Now!"

The two of them travelled to Magnolia Promenade where they found all the different fashion boutiques.  The place was getting a reputation of being "The Carnaby Street of Sim City" and was a fertile ground for the Sneedley's moral indignation.  One particular establishment caught their attention:  It was converted from a much older building but had big, newly installed glass windows, neon signs and bold colours decorating it.  It was called "Pack's Clothing" and it seemed like it was purposely built to annoy them.

"It looks positively garish!" said Edna "and what's the appalling smell coming from it?"

"If my culinary senses do not deceive me" said George "I believe it's a combination of incense, peppermint and....I think that's thyme"

"Anyway...let us gird ourselves and carry out our task.  George, no looking at anything too racy; we don't want you to have one of your turns"

Edna and George took deep breaths and entered the shop....and they didn't like what they saw right from the off.  For starters, there was discordant music playing over a speaker which made Edna wince.

"Tsch, most unsuitable!" said Edna looking at a couple of mannequins.  Even their poses offended her...no grace or poise, just blatant provocativeness and lewd playfulness.

She moved on to view a poster of a man with shaggy, unkempt hair, playing a guitar with a tortured look on his face.  The caption read "JEFF BECK".

"Ugh, just the sort of young man my mother warned me about!" she said.

George came and sat down next to her.  "I had to sit down and take a rest...it's so horrible in here!  The men's section is just as bad...medallions and strange patterns" he said.

"Well that's one thing I'll give this establishment" said Edna.  "At least there's plenty of places to sit"

"Excuse me, Madam, Sir...can I be of assistance?" said a young shop assistant.  He struck the Sneedleys as somewhat odd looking:  He was a black man with very dark skin and yet had a mop of golden blonde hair.  

"No thank you" said Edna curtly as she stared at the man's hair.

"Ah you've noticed my hair" said the shop assistant.  "New in stock:  Deluxe Merseybeat wigs.  Ideal for young men who want to look like The Beatles but whose hair is too curly, short or straggly to have cut into the classic Beatle cut.  Also great for the older gentleman who's hairline is receding and might want the extra coverage" he said, looking at George's head.

"Made from realistic nylon, they come in 20 different shades: This one is called Golden Dawn" continued the man.

"No thank you" replied Edna.  "Although that is probably the least objectionable thing I have seen in here so far" 

The man went off to help another customer and Edna took a moment to survey the scene.  "George" she said, an idea formulating in her head "I think we should conduct some interviews with some of the customers; find out what they think"

"I agree; we should make ourselves seem more official...say we're doing important market research" George replied.

"Agreed...I will speak with that lady in the blue over there...George that young woman in the turquoise; you should have a word with her"

Edna walked over to a young lady who was dressed all in dark blue.  She was checking out a short dress in a peppermint colour when Edna introduced herself.

"Hello...My name is Mrs Edna Sneedley and I am conducting some market research on behalf of an important organisation whose name I am not at liberty to mention.  May I ask you a few questions about your preferences in ladies fashion?"

"Hi...my name is Bianca, I'm 24 and work in an office" replied the young woman.

"How nice...I see you have opted for the shorter hemline:  Is that something that appeals to you?"

"Yeah, it's fab!  It's kicky!" said Bianca.

"Hmmm, 'kicky', I'm afraid I'm not well versed in the slang of the youth of today.  But don't you feel that your shorter hemlines will attract the attention of the wrong sort of man?"

"I'm not against attracting the attention of a man...providing he's cute" said Bianca.  "But it's about freedom, confidence and the Pill"

"THE PILL!" exclaimed Edna, shocked.  If there was anything she hated more than mini skirts, it was the Pill.  "Young lady, you should be ashamed of yourself!"

At that Bianca became very indignant.  Meanwhile, George was trying a slightly different approach.

"Excuse me, Miss" he said to a willowy auburn haired young woman who wore a turquoise mini dress.  "I am conducting a survey on fashion and the younger generation.  Do you prefer the long or the shorter skirt?"

"Well, man, it's all good, right?" she replied.  "Long, short as long as it's with it I'm cool with all that.  My favourite clothes are my flared jeans, baby"

George didn't catch on with the slang but proceeded to enquire more.  "And are you wearing stockings today or....tights?" he said, wincing at the T word.  

"These?  These are tights, man.  I've given up on all the constricting underwear that mom and grandma wore:  I got rid of garters, corsets, girdles and I've read the bra is a symbol of the past so I might end up throwing that in the trash can or burning it"

"Oh...dear..." said George, who acted as if he had walked into a minefield.

"Yeah man, I mean, why do we need clothes anyway?  Underwear, who cares?  Some days I don't bother at all with them.  You've got to feel free, baby, unconstricted and let it all hang out.  Have you tried spending the day in the nude?  Wow, that's like being at one with nature!  Mister, are you alright?  Mister?"

George had gone pale and was clutching his heart.  "I...need...fresh air..." he gasped.

"Hey, lady, is this guy bothering you?" said a young, male customer who had seen what was going on.

"I don't know, man" replied the hippy girl.  "This guy was asking about what I was wearing..."

"Oh I see..." said the man in a threatening tone and rolling up his sleeves.  "I've dealt with perverts like him before!"

"GASP!" cried George and Edna turned to see him down on his knees having a panic attack.

"George!  Oh no!  Make way!  Make way!  I'm his wife...clear the area, he's having one of his turns!"  Edna helped George back to his feet and led him out of the shop.

They went straight home from Magnolia Promenade where George had a drink, some air and time to calm down.  "Oh Edna...that young woman you sent me to speak with:  She turned out to be a nudist!  I wasn't prepared, I just wasn't prepared!" he said.

"No, that was my fault...I should have been more aware of the type of customer we were dealing with.  My one wasn't much better; a loose woman on the pill, shall we say?" 

"Well I appreciate you coming to my assistance" said George.

"My wifely duty, George.  After all, you've always been there in my hour of need" replied Edna, warmly.

The two felt drawn to each other at that moment.  Not a word passed their lips but they sat on the couch, looking lovingly in each others' eyes.  Slowly, ever slowly, they inched towards one another until those lips were touching and then they gently held each other as they embraced and kissed.

It wasn't just a peck either, they kissed over and over; lovingly and tenderly.  The years together rolled back and they were like they were when they were first courting.  Finally, their lips parted.

"That's enough of that" said Edna.

"Yes, I must get to work now.  A most pleasant experience, thank you" replied George.

He went off to the restaurant and Edna craved a drink, so she headed off to the Rattlesnake Juice Bar.  Not her favourite haunt, but a place George often stopped at on his way back from work.

"Your usual, Mrs Sneedley?" asked the barman.

"Yes thank you, David.  That's lovely.  David...do you ever get worried about the permissive society?" she asked.

"Only that it's passing me by" replied the barman.

Edna drank the crisp dry white wine and thought about what to make of what her and George found this morning.  Was it that young women were to blame or the people who tell them what they should wear, listen to and do with their lives?  So much to ponder.

"You know what I don't like about today's society, Mrs Sneedley" 

"What's that, David?"

"Modern art.  I just don't get it:  Blobs, lines, splatter, wham...I mean, what's it all about?  Nothing, I tell you, nothing."

Edna thought about that...yes, modern art: Another symptom of society in decay.  She finished her second drink and put the glass down on the bar, loudly.

"David...is the gallery down the road still open at this time?" she asked.

"Should be" the barman replied.

Edna settled her tab and headed off to the Futures Past museum, keen to find fault there.

The modern art section was on the 2nd floor so she wasted no time being distracted by the classical sculptures and Mediaeval works of art and headed straight there.  Upon arrival she spotted an abstract painting that immediately triggered her sensibilities.

"No, I don't get this at all" she said out loud.  "Are those meant to be hills?  Did the artist just spill paint by mistake?"

"I think you'll find that the shapes are held in proportion to each other...the painting holds the rounded sections and the lines in tension, juxtaposing the very shapes themselves" came a voice from next to her.  Turning to see who had spoken, she saw that it was none other than her nemesis: Alan Cuffe.

"Oh no, trust you to like this, Mr Cuffe" she said.

"I appreciate art and beauty in all its forms" he said.

"Yes...especially if it's wearing a bathing suit" she responded, snidely.

"You know, Edna, your life would be considerably improved if you didn't spend so much time seeking out things that offend you."

"I have a duty to protect our community!"

"No one asked you"

"Because you've lured them into complacency"

"You credit me with too much influence, Edna"

"I see your influence growing day by day, Mr Cuffe"

"You don't know the half of what goes on in this city...if you did you wouldn't see me as your great enemy!" Cuffe's voice started to crack as he said those words.  Suddenly, he went quiet.

Edna took a moment to compose herself during this brief silence before saying "Well, I've made my point perfectly clear.  Goodbye, Mr Cuffe"

She headed home where she rendezvoused with George.

"I have met the enemy, George" she said "...and he is scared!"

"Of us?" asked George.

"Why yes, who else?" she replied.

CHAPTER 110: Relationships Change

 

Jolene Scholl stood apprehensively in front of the large mansion:  This was Granada Place in Oasis Springs, the new residence of Alan Cuffe.  Sales of Lothario magazine had skyrocketed of late and a lot of his investments were paying off so he had moved from a stylish, modernist house in Parched Prospect to this mansion in Skyward Palms.  Cuffe was more successful and powerful than he'd ever been and that worried Jolene as she prepared to deliver some news to him that he might not take well.

She rang the doorbell, which was answered by Cuffe's live in personal assistant and head "Kitten", Madelyn Buchanan.  

"Jolene...nice to see you" said Madelyn, smiling.  Jolene had rung the day before asking to meet with Alan and it was unusual for one of the Kitten Club to ask to see Alan during business hours....except for auditions to become a member.  Once in the club there were the meetings, social events, media events and the classes in make up, decorum, dance, poise, vocal training, human movement studies and lessons in the "Lothario Way".  Now Jolene wanted to see Alan on some matter and Madelyn detected an air of apprehension in the girl.

"I do like your outfit, Jolene: Who's the designer?  Quant?"

"Courreges" replied Jolene.  

"Ah, he's so bold, so innovative don't you think?"

"Yes.  Alan recommended him to me"

"Alan will be joining us shortly but I must warn you he has a lot on his plate right now" said Madelyn with a note of caution in her voice.  Deep down Madelyn was worried about him: Two days ago they'd had a meeting of the Kitten Club and the main purpose was to distract Detective John Action from investigating certain areas of the Lothario organisation and, in particular, Madelyn's other business interests which were strictly illegal.  After Action had left they had received a visit from prominent businesswoman, Lily Feng.  She had a meeting with Alan in his study which Madelyn was not present at but when the meeting had ended, Alan seemed alarmed, pale and shocked.  He hadn't been his usual, jocular and flirtatious self and whatever he and Lily discussed, he didn't share it with Madelyn.

At that moment Alan appeared in the living room and Jolene noticed the tired eyes and air of distractedness about him.  What had happened to him in the last 48 hours?  Was it the visit of the detective?

"Jolene, lovely to see you....that'll be all, Madelyn, I think Jolene would like to have a word with me in private" Alan's voice sounded thinner, more weary than Jolene had ever known.

Madelyn left the room and Alan sat next to Jolene.

"Alan...lately I've been thinking about my place in the Kitten Club" she began.

"I've received a lot of fan mail for you; one of the highest the magazine has ever seen" he replied.

"I'm flattered to hear that...but nonetheless I think it's time for me to move on"

"Oh....is there a problem?"

"I don't want to be just another name in your little black book.  I'm becoming disillusioned with the libertine part of the club...I don't want to be the girl you call up on Thursdays."

"The Club isn't for everyone..." he said with his head bowed.  "Do you think you've reached your limit with us?"

"I went beyond the limit and now I want to come back to something that I recognise and feel happier in.  My music career's taking off and that's where I want to focus, not on this side..." she said, pointing to a copy of the latest issue of Lothario magazine which was on a nearby coffee table.  Her image was on the front cover.

Alan took a deep breath before saying.  "I understand...people come, work for me, play with me and then they have to walk their own path.  Your time with us has come to an end.  Well, I can't say this news fills me with cheer: You were one of the best, Jolene.  I will continue to follow your music career and you'll always have a place in the Club's hearts."

He stood up and walked to the door and Jolene realised that this was the end of their discussion.  She followed him out towards the front door but she could still see he was worn down and distracted.

"Alan, are you happy?" she asked him at the door.

"Of course!  Things have never been better...the business is doing better than ever, I'm richer now than I've ever been in my life, I now live in this mansion, I have the most intelligent people writing for me and I'm surrounded by beautiful women.  What's there to complain about?"

Jolene wasn't convinced.  "Are any of us, the women in your life, special to you?" she asked.

"You're ALL special to me" he replied.

"That's the problem, Alan: When we're all special, then none of us are.  Goodbye and take care"

The door shut and she was gone.  Alan stood in the hall contemplating what Jolene had just said but then Madelyn appeared.

"Ah, Madelyn.  Jolene is no longer part of the Kitten Club...her decision.  Amend the club and business records appropriately."

"Yes, Alan." Madelyn replied.

"Oh, and do I have any other appointments this morning?"

"Yes.  At 11am you have an appointment with a Miss Skye Warner...she's applied to be a member of the Kitten Club."

"A space is left, a space is filled.  'Twas ever thus" he said with a sigh.

GARDEN ESSENCE, WILLOW CREEK, THE NEXT DAY

"Travis!  You're still in your pyjamas and eating breakfast!" said Liberty Lee to her housemate when she came into the kitchen for breakfast.

"So?"

"The proper way to start the day is shower, dress then breakfast"

"When I wake up I need fuel before anything else" said Travis.  "After that I can begin to think about the other two"

"Summer, why can't you civilise your boyfriend?" said Liberty as Summer Holiday, fully dressed, entered the kitchen as well.

"I think he's cute the way he is" Summer replied.

"Does Gary get dressed before breakfast or does it do it the normal way around?" asked Travis.

Liberty didn't say anything for a moment.  "I don't know; I haven't seen Gary first thing in the morning" she eventually replied.

"You mean, you haven't..." said Summer, her voice trailing off as she said the words.

"I don't want to talk on this subject any further.  Travis, please tell me you're going to clean your plate and not just slink off." Liberty said.

"We have a cleaner!  Oh, alright..." he replied, grumbling.

The housemates all had 'must do' jobs to do...Liberty had a technical manual to read.

Summer had to practice making some new cocktail recipes.

...and Travis went back to bed.  

By mid morning he had decided to wake up and NOW have shower and get dressed.  Summer was just cleaning up the shaker, stirrers and glasses when he arrived, fully dressed in the kitchen.

"Hey, how did it go with the cocktails?" he asked.

"I've nailed the Tang & Zing now" she replied.  "How is that electrical project of yours going?  I didn't want to disturb you as you worked"

"Oh...yes..." said Travis, realising he'd not made any progress on it but instead slept the whole time.  "...it's at a very tricky stage right now.  Is Liberty around?" 

"She's still in her room...why?" said Summer.

"Because she's been around us a lot and we haven't much time by ourselves to do......this!" he said as he leant in closer for a kiss.  Summer too was keen to have a romantic moment, snatched between must do work jobs and their housemate walking in on them at any given moment.

"It's a lovely day, let's go outside" said Summer, taking Travis by the hand and leading him out the front door.

The two decided to do a bit of cloudgazing and enjoy the peace of the day.  

"Lovely clouds today" said Summer.

"Hmm, Cumulonimbus" said Travis.

"Travis...I get what you say about having to sneak these times together.  What if we changed things in the house so we get more time alone?" said Summer.

"What, like locking Liberty out for a couple of hours a day?" Travis replied.

"No!  I mean...your room is across the hall from me and often its a room where people hang out.  How about we share a room instead?"

"I don't know, Summer, my room can't take a double bed"

"Not your room!  I meant my room."

"Move my stuff into yours and we, like, sleep together and stuff?"

"Why not?"

"I don't know...I mean, I've got my books, projects and desk just where I want them in my room"

"I was thinking; we turn your bedroom into a study and you and me get to share one bedroom.  It'll be great; I will wake up next to you ever day and we'll be more private"

"I dig what you're saying...but we're going to have to make it less....girly.  I mean, it's a bit frilly in your room"

"I hope Liberty will be OK with all this....hey, she's been quiet a long time now...what's she up to?" said Summer.

Liberty had slipped out almost unnoticed and headed off into town to meet with her boyfriend, Gary.

"No, I've had this hat longer!" she said to him.

"I've had this hat for 3 months now"

"I've had mine since Christmas, I win" she declared triumphantly.

"Let's stop bickering over hats and go inside for a drink" Gary said.  "It's pretty quiet on a Saturday afternoon in here..."

"Oh...well I didn't expect it to be this crowded" he said when they entered the Blue Velvet.

It was very crowded in the Blue Velvet with a crush at the bar.  Liberty and Gary found a couple of barstools but there was someone sitting between them.  Fortunately there were some old friends there are well such as Brent Hecking and Julia Epstein and they had a friendly catch up with both of them but Gary ordered drinks then said to Liberty "Let's go outside; they have a nice little garden area here"

"Ah, some peace at last!" said Gary as they sat down on an old fashioned wooden bench in the quaint garden area.  The fountain added to the ambience whilst inside there was a soft murmur of voices and music.

"This is nice...I've never really noticed it out here" said Liberty.

"An oasis of calm" replied Gary.  "If you open up the back gate there you get great views of the river.  I once wrote a poem right here on this spot as I looked out."

"You the poet, me the rocket scientist...we make an odd pair" said Liberty.

"Opposites attract" he said with a smile.

"Gary...do you think we should move things to the next level?" she asked.

"Do you mean the balcony area upstairs?" he replied.  

"No...I mean you and me, our relationship"

"What did you have in mind?" he said, suggestively.

"Well...we've been on dates, we're what our folks would no doubt call 'courting' but...well, I want to know what you like for breakfast for example?"

"Bacon and eggs" he replied without missing a beat.  "But you want to make things more...intimate?  Physical?"

"Intimate yes...and more time the two of us, alone, not in a public space all the time."

"What about your housemates?  Don't they restrict your privacy?"

"They are so loved up themselves I think they hardly notice me at the moment.  But instead of a date here, a night out there, why don't we have a quiet night in at my place and you stay over?"

"I'd like nothing more" he said, gazing into her eyes.

They made out for some time; the passage of the minutes then hours passed them by as they enjoyed each others' company.  Eventually Gary looked at his wristwatch and said "Shoot...I said I'd help out my dad this afternoon.  I didn't know how time has flown"

"Hmmm, I wish it didn't have to end but parents are parents" said Liberty.

"I will see you very, very soon" he said, giving her one final kiss.

Liberty strolled home, light headed from a lovely time spent with Gary.  Once there she made herself some dinner but just as she was starting to eat, there was a knock at the door.

It was Gary!  What was he doing here so soon?

"Gary?" said a confused Liberty.

"I had to come back!" he replied, enthusiastically.

"That's wonderful but what about your Dad?"

"I told him about our date, what a lovely time we were having and how great you are and he said...his exact words were...'you numbskull! What are you doing here, putting up shelves when you could be with your woman!" and with that he grabbed me by the collar and hurled me out of his house!"

Liberty couldn't help but giggle.  "Your dad sounds like a real romantic" she said.

"It's rumoured that he proposed to my mum when she was a nurse in WW2 and he was besieged in Bastogne in the 101st Airborne division when the German artillery was raining down on them.  He has a strange idea about romance but, hey, here I am"

"Here you are indeed...come on in" 

They sat down together and picked up where they'd left off in the Blue Velvet.  

"So Gary, do you have anywhere else that you need to get to this evening?" she asked him.  He shook his head. 

"I'm all yours" he replied.

"Well, that offer of breakfast is still good" she said, suggestively.

"Bacon?..." he asked.

"...and eggs.  And all the trimmings" she replied.

"That's an offer I can't turn down!" 

Liberty finished her dinner and the two of them enjoyed a couple of glasses of wine as they enjoyed the evening.  They heard Travis go to bed and shut the door behind him.  Summer wasn't due back from the restaurant she worked at until midnight.  That left Gary and Liberty alone and in private and they didn't squander the opportunity.

Eventually Liberty stood up and walked towards her room, giving Gary a look over her shoulder.  "Are you coming?" she asked, coquettishly.

Gary just smiled, stood up and followed her.  They went inside her room, gently shut the door behind them and began to undress.  Tonight was the night when they would take things to the next level.

CHAPTER 109: This Is Awkward

 

Julia Epstein was ready for another day healing the sick...or mopping the floors and making the beds in the hospital: The trouble was she didn't know which it would be when she stepped through the doors every morning.  

"We're at 3/4s capacity today" said Nurse Harper Newell to Julia.  "Plenty to keep you busy"

Julia grabbed a patient chart and headed off to see her first call of the day.

"Ah, Mr Copley...those are very interesting.....erm....stripes...you have there" said Julia upon entering the room.

"People at work have been referring to me as 'Tigger'" said the man, with a heavy sigh.

"Well you've come to the right place...no need to feel tigerish *chuckle*...I can see you're a cool cat...*snort* but you'll certainly get the lion's share of my attention *chortle*" said Julia, trying to lighten the situation.

"That doesn't really help, Doc" said Mr Copley.

"No, of course not" replied a chastened Julia.  "Right, let's perform a few tests to see how we can cure your stripes"

"Oh man....I feel really bad...like I'm going to be sick!" said Mr Copley.

"NURSE!" cried Julia.

Once the vomit had been cleared up, Julia was able to get on with taking swabs, temperature and blood samples from the patient and getting them analysed.  He had a rare condition, but fortunately the right treatment was easily found especially when the specialist doctor was called in to help.  Mr Copley could be discharged that very day.

Her day was getting better when she was called in by her supervisor, the fierce taskmaster Dr Murakami, to observe a paediatrics case:  Murakami knew that was an area of medicine Julia was interested in and it was a rare act of generosity to invite the young doctor to observe and make notes.

"And that, young lady, is why you shouldn't eat crayons" said Dr Murakami, sternly.

The little girl looked contrite and Julia finished making notes on the case before her, and Dr Murakami, stepped outside and retired to the staff room.

"I trust that case was of some interest to you" said Murakami.

"It was...gastric problems in children.  I've made some useful notes." Julia replied.

"All part of the learning process, Dr Epstein.  And well done on diagnosing that case this morning.  We don't often see that condition but given the patient's medical history and the part of the world he was returning from it was a most logical diagnosis and you should be pleased...but not too pleased...that you caught it"

"Thank you, Doctor.  Yes, when he said he'd returned from a walking vacation to that particular country it began to make more sense"

"You are making most excellent progress, Dr Epstein...most excellent"

Julia could be forgiven for feeling smug about her work day, given that Dr Murakami was stingy with praise most of the time.  When she got home, she whipped up a light dinner and sighed with happiness about all that was good in her life right now.  Her mood was interrupted when the telephone rang.

"Hello...Julia Epstein speaking" she said in a formal tone which she reserved for answering the phone.

"Hi, it's Jolene...is it convenient to stop by for a chat?  I've got some things on my mind and I'd dearly value your opinion"

Jolene Scholl was a friend of Julia's.  The fact they were friends would appear unusual to an onlooker.  Jolene was a blonde, blue eyed beauty with a curvaceous figure and legs that went on forever.  Julia was a gawky brunette with brown eyes covered by large spectacles, had skinny legs and her hair in pigtails.  But the differences weren't just physical:  Jolene was a nightclub singer, Julia a doctor.  Jolene was of Scandinavian, Lutheran stock whereas Julia was Jewish whose ancestors were from somewhere in Central Europe.  But the biggest difference between the two young women was that Jolene was a member of the libertine Kitten Club...she had appeared as Miss April in a recent issue of 'Lothario' magazine as the centrefold whereas Julia was a member of the ultra-conservative League of Decency.  The two groups being sworn enemies of each other and yet, across the divide, Julia and Jolene had formed a friendship.  But Julia was happy to see Jolene again as it'd been a few weeks since their last get together; life was very busy for both of them.

When Jolene arrived, Julia greeted her enthusiastically.

"Jolene...it's been ages since we last got together" she said.

"I know...when we went to Skye Fitness and performed that duet down at the Blue Velvet" replied Jolene.

"That long ago?  Golly.  Well then come inside and tell me what's going on with you?" said Julia, ushering her friend indoors.

"Julia, I want to share some of my thoughts that have been troubling me of late...I know you to be a trustworthy and discrete person and someone who's opinions I value" said Jolene after sitting down on Julia's couch.

"Wow, this sounds serious" said Julia, sitting down next to her.

"It is.  Julia, I'm thinking of quitting The Kitten Club"

Julia sat stunned in silence for a few seconds.

"I don't think it's working out for me anymore." Jolene continued.

"Why is that?  I thought you liked being a Lothario Kitten: You talked about how empowering it is, how much fun you have" said Julia.

"And it was.  When I joined I was shy, awkward and coming out of a bad relationship.  I wanted to be a professional singer but I had no contacts.  When I met Alan Cuffe he saw my potential...he changed my image, introduced me to people in the music industry and I was sold on the free, liberated and playful lifestyle the Kitten Club presented."

"So what went wrong?" asked Julia.

"I reached a point where it wasn't fun anymore.  The parties and events....well, it was exciting at first but I was beginning to find them too wild, too excessive.  I had a relationship with Alan...relationship?  Is that the right word?  Well, we had...have...a friendship but we also had sex.  Quite a lot of sex."

Julia squirmed at this bit of information.  She found Cuffe repulsive as a human being and couldn't even imagine why anyone would have sex with him...but she was here for her friend and kept quiet at that point.

"The thing is, Alan has a lot of sex with other women as well.  He's slept with all the Kittens and a few more besides.  His little black book is actually four volumes.  But that's not all...I began to have sex with other club members"

Again, Julia kept quiet.

"At one Lothario party I lost control of myself.  I was feeling giddy and heady with excitement, I felt so sexy in my kitten costume and...well...I was with this other member and we were both feeling hot and spicy at that point and...and this is the part I struggle with...we threw caution to the wind and snuck off to one of the spare bedrooms to WooHoo.  I liked this person, and they're very, very good looking but I'd not had sexual thoughts about them before...it was spontaneous and out of character of me to just have random sex without building a relationship first."

"And did he feel the same way about you?" Julia asked at last.

"That's just it...it wasn't a he, it was a she!  Another Kitten!"

Julia's jaw hit the floor.  She did not expect that revelation.

"I...see...." she stumbled.

"But I'm not a lesbian though...although I've now ventured into that territory.  She's openly bisexual and has had WooHoo with another one of the Kittens as well as Alan and..."

"OK, I get the picture" said Julia, interrupting Jolene before she could hear any more.  "And now you're regretting it?" she asked.

"Yes and no.  It was fun...and exciting at the time but is that where I want my life to go?  I do think about men and families and finding a one, true love.  But what I truly want is incompatible with being in The Kitten Club."

"So you think you should resign?  Well, I would agree and not because I hate Cuffe and the club, but because if you stay you'll find yourself more miserable trying to reconcile what you want with what it provides and the longer you stay, the more difficult it will be to leave as you get involved in....let's just say you'll be involved in more things you really don't want to do."

Jolene nodded.  "That's very wise.  Thank you for listening, Jules.  I know all this talk of WooHoo with men and women is uncomfortable for you..."

"I think I should make some coffee..." said Julia, sitting up straight.  "No, wine, I should open a bottle of wine....I know I need a drink right now!"

Julia got up and went to the kitchen to open a bottle of wine and get a couple of wine glasses.  She was glad her friend was sorting her life out but those tales of the Kitten Club?  How shocking!  Without mentioning any names she might raise the issue of what goes on at their meetings at the next League of Decency event.

As Julia opened the wine, Jolene noticed something out the window and called to her.  "Jules...there's a cute guy at the front door" she said.

"What?  Who on Earth could that be?" she said, putting down the bottle and walking to the door.

When she opened it she saw that Jolene was right...there was a guy at the door and even Julia had to concede that he was, by the standards of the day, 'cute'.

"Oh hello, I'm looking for a Doctor Julia Epstein?" said the man.

"I am she" replied Julia, haughtily.

"Oh...I didn't expect you to....erm....be...."

"A woman?  So young?  I get that a lot" she said, unimpressed at this man so far.

"I guess I got off on the wrong foot there...I don't want to insult your credentials, Doctor.  My name is Cole Michaels and I'm a police officer over at the 13th Precinct.  We have a friend in common; John Action, he told me you could help me with some medical knowledge."

Julia paused while she looked at his warrant badge.  So this was a professional call?  She could handle that.  "Do come in...let me introduce you to my friend, Jolene."

"Well hello there..." said Cole, who couldn't believe his luck meeting two cute women at once.  "I hope I'm not disturbing...I could come back another time"

"Not at all, Officer Michaels is it?" she said, very enthusiastically.  "We're always happy to help our boys in blue"

"Are we?" asked Julia.

"Yes we are, Jules" replied Jolene, hoping Julia would get the hint that Cole was most welcome here.

"And this medical knowledge that you seek, what is it specifically?" asked Julia.

"Well, it's about blood stains...I'm working on a case where there's four different blood types at the crime scene and I'm trying to learn more about the forensic side of investigation."

"I have some books here you can borrow" said Julia.  "And I can answer any questions you may have"

"Blood stains?" asked Jolene, shocked at the sound of this case.  "What happened, Officer?"

"Call me Cole; I'm off duty...well, it's not a murder but instead a violent gang fight" he explained.

"Is that something you deal with often?" asked Jolene, intrigued whilst Julia went off to check the bookshelf for books on blood.

"Quite often:  I'm part of a police group called the Youth Crime Task Force.  We investigate crimes committed by teenagers and students or those of student age.  We're quite a young task force because we've been selected for our ability to be young, hip and in touch with the Now Generation."

"So a kind of Mod Squad then?" said Jolene.

"Yeah...I guess you could call us that...The Mod Squad" he said, liking the idea.

"I remember there's a book in the other room that you'd be interested in" said Julia, getting up and walking to her bedroom...leaving Cole and Jolene alone in the living room.

"Jolene...you seem familiar.  Where would I know you from?" he asked.

"I sing at the Blue Velvet nightclub in Willow Creek" she replied.

"I've not heard of it.  Hmmm, someplace else?"

"I'm also April's Miss Kitten in Lothario"

The penny dropped but Cole looked embarrassed.  "Of course, I only read it for the articles" he said, nervously.

"That's what they all say" she replied.

"Here we go..." said Julia on entering the room.  "Principles of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis" she said, brandishing a book.

"Oh...yes...thank you" said Cole, gathering his practical thoughts again.  "That seems ideal"

"Jolene is very talented you know" said Julia, making conversation.

"So I've noticed" said Cole.  "I'm grateful for your help but I don't want to take up any more of your time"

"Nonsense, we like having interesting people around here, don't we Julia?" said Jolene, trying to encourage Julia to loosen up and not be so business like.

"We do?  Oh yes, we do" Julia replied as she started to guess what Jolene was up to.

"Julia is also very talented" said Jolene.  "Not only is she a top doctor, she's also a fantastic pianist as well...we often do duets at the Blue Velvet, you must come and see us one evening"

"I'd like that very much" said Cole.  He'd come for a book about blood stains, he stayed for the company.

As the women went to get more snacks and wine, Jolene pulled Julia to one side.  "So, what do you think?  Dishy or what?"

"Erm...well...he seems pleasant and well....you know...handsome?" she said, hesitantly.

"I need to get myself in a better place right now but if you don't make a play for him, I might just have to" said Jolene.

"What?  Me!  I...I...I..." Julia stammered.

"Are you interested in him or not?" 

"I got a kind of a warm feeling sitting next to him...is that normal?"

Jolene nodded.

"Oh" said Julia.  "Just one thing....how does one go about 'making a play'?"

"For starters...when you give him that glass of wine, just kind of sashay past him.  You know, glide a little...entice him.  When you walk over there, just think in your head 'and a 1...2...3...hello!' 1...2...3...hello!' Give your walk a little rhythm."

"Something like.....this?"  Julia gave it a go but she had never knowingly 'enticed' before.  Of all the Doctors in all the residential houses in all of Willow Creek...Cole Michaels had to walk into hers!