"Dang it, that fridge is broken AGAIN! I've had to call a repairman." said a frustrated Jeremy Saint.
"And right when I want breakfast as well!" said Barbara, her shoulders sagging in disappointment.
"That's OK, you have mine and I'll get some on the way to the interview" he replied.
"That's really sweet of you" she said, perking up. "Wait a moment, 'interview'?"
"Yeah, I have a meeting with the personnel department at Landgraab's this morning" he said. "Did I not mention that to you?"
"You did not! I can't believe you're going through with this, after what I said on this subject!" said Barbara, pushing her breakfast to one side and frowning at Jeremy.
"I thought you'd come around to the idea!" said Jeremy.
"I said I would think about it, I have and I DON'T like the idea at all!" said Barbara, sternly.
"Look, the money's better..." said Jeremy, trying to stay positive.
"It's not the money! It's your safety! You only want that job to spy on the Landgraabs and they're pretty powerful and vengeful people!"
"It's more than just spying, darling; the Landgraabs want to evict all of us out of our homes and build some secret complex here. Well, if I'm in a position to prevent that..."
"And what if they catch you doing that? What then? You've seen what they did to Action! They've tried to kill Alan Cuffe! They've targeted Suzy!" said Barbara, getting increasingly angry now.
"Well, technically that wasn't the Landgraabs who did all those things...it was another group" said Jeremy trying to stay calm.
"And that group is working for the Landgraabs! We have no idea who they are and you want to put yourself in harms way?"
"There's actually a practical reason why I'm doing this, apart from the money side. The Landgraabs will influence the city council...and they can do that because they're working with the Fengs...to buy up all the houses in our neighbourhood at rock bottom prices. They're already spreading rumours which is putting off house buyers so when it's time to move we'll have no choice but to accept a measly offer from them. This will be bad for all of us. Geoffrey, I think, wants to steer the company in a different direction, a more reputable one and I can be well placed to stop this development if I get the job."
"Morning Mr Saint, it's Emily Hankins from the repair company...I'm here to fix your fridge" said a familiar looking woman in work overalls. Jeremy had met her before when she came to fix his stove a few months ago.
"We'll talk more later!" said Barbara to Jeremy, still unhappy.
"Yep, fried cooling circuits...typical of this model. You need an upgrade, sir." said Hankins.
Later Jeremy and Barbara shared a frosty subway journey to Pack's Clothing where he had some time to help Barbara set up shop before he had to continue on to his interview.
"How can I...erm...help...darling?" he said, nervously.
"Help me bring labelled items out from storage and hand them to me: I shifted a lot of outfits yesterday and didn't get the chance to re-dress the mannequins last night." she replied, coldly.
"I could help put clothes on the mannequins" Jeremy suggested.
"It takes some skill to do that...the arms and legs don't move much. Best left to me; you just hand me the clothes when I tell you." she sounded fierce; completely at odds with the normally happy go lucky persona she usually was.
Jeremy put his head down and did what he was told on this occasion. Since he brought up the subject of taking a job with the Landgraab Corporation he thought that Barbara was just reluctantly going along with him but it turns out she was actually seething about his decision. She said it was about being concerned about his safety in case he got found out whilst playing spy and, yes, he accepted that as part of the risk but he thought there was a bigger cause to be fought here. "All it takes for evil to prosper" he aunt told him once "was for good men to do nothing".
After an hour of helping Barbara he had to go to work and they parted on frosty terms. As for her, she didn't have time to brood on Jeremy's misplaced altruism; she had a store to open and run! As she went to get the cash register sorted out she noticed a man pacing up and down the sidewalk next to the shop. He looked very intense and she wondered whether he was interested in coming into the shop or was his pacing about something else? She kept checking on his movements as she went to switch the muzak on.
The man turned out to be her first customer of the day. She said a polite "hello", which he ignored, and then watched him walk over to the menswear section. He had a strange routine going on: He would look intensely at each outfit, feel the cloth and then breathe deeply which had an exhale that came with a murmur. She thought he might have been like that strange man last week who rubbed himself up against the female mannequins. Fortunately this guy didn't fondle the dummies.
Barbara cautiously approached him and cleared her throat to attract his attention.
"You wish to speak with me?" said the man, turning his gaze towards Barbara.
"I was wondering if you needed any help in choosing something?" she said, politely.
"I have noticed your presence and surmised your role in this establishment. Inform me: Is this particular outfit considered 'trendy'?" he asked, stumbling over the word 'trendy' as if it was unfamiliar to him.
"It is...a single breasted suit worn over a turtleneck is inspired by some of the outfits worn by The Beatles in 'Help'" replied Barbara.
"The Beatles as in the popular beat combo?" replied the customer.
"Yes...them."
"I see" said the customer, looking intently at the mannequin again. He let out an audible exhale whilst staring.
"Would you like to see anything else we have in stock that is contemporary and currently trendy?" asked Barbara.
"I require to see all such outfits. I work for a fashion magazine" he replied.
"Oh yes? Which one? Hey, Wow?"
The man sneered. "I work for SMOGUE!" he growled.
"Well...if you care to look over there you'll find some more men's outfits and...oh look, I have more customers; I must go and see to them" she said, scuttling off to great more people who had just entered the shop.
The relative calm of having to deal with everyday shoppers was soon disturbed by one man who entered the boutique and he wasn't just being weird...he was being angry.
"Materialism is evil! Reject the corporate structure! Smash the state! *BLEEP* CAPITALISM!" he ranted.
Barbara let out a sigh of despair, apologised to the woman she was serving, and headed over to where this man was standing.
"Excuse me, sir, would you mind keeping your voice down?" she said to him.
"Why? YOU WORK FOR THE GOVERNMENT? You want to stop my freedom of expression?" he said.
"Right now you're getting in the way of my right to run this shop!" she replied. "Now if this establishment is not to your liking then you should probably leave"
"Establishment...yeah, that's right lady! You're the establishment! You're the one keeping us down with your so-called 'fashion' and clothing!" he continued.
"Clothing? What are you talking about?" she replied, puzzled.
"Clothing is the government's tool to keep us all oppressed! Reject garments! Take your clothes off! Let it all hang out!" he said, taking off his shoes and socks and starting to remove his sweater as well.
"STOP THAT! You've had your say so if you're not going to buy anything then GET OUT! LEAVE MY STORE!" said Barbara, scowling and standing as tall as she could.
"Fascist!" he growled. "I will fight the fight....but somewhere else!"
The man picked up his shoes and socks and stormed out of the shop. All the customers looked shocked but one of them congratulated Barbara and soon they all stood around Barbara applauding and telling her she'd been perfectly right in standing up to that guy.
"An appropriate use of verbal force to counter an aggressor" said the strange customer in a flat, monotone voice.
"Erm...I'm sorry you had to witness that" said Barbara, struck at being the centre of attention. "OK...for the next hour all items purchased come with a 5% discount" she added, quite spontaneously.
Despite the announcement of a discount, business was only just above average for the day. The strange man from Smogue ended up purchasing nothing but instead walked around, asking bizarre questions about all the different outfits. Barbara hoped news of today's incident, plus the number of weirdo customers she'd been dealing with lately, didn't drive business down...on top of everything else, she really didn't need that as well.
At closing time she started locking the place up and switching off the music and some of the lights when Jeremy appeared at the door, holding a bunch of flowers. She let him in and he smiled sheepishly.
"Peace offering?" he said. Barbara took the flowers and looked appreciatively at them.
"Hmmm, they're lovely. Thank you." she replied.
"So, how did it go here today?" he asked, nervously.
"Ugh, some weirdos invaded my shop...one was a communist nudist..."
"You don't meet many of them" replied Jeremy.
"And the other was this really creepy and unsettling guy from Smogue magazine who spoke in really overcomplicated and weird ways...."
"Oh him...Davis Goode. We met him once before, at the Humor & Hijinks Festival where he ate a plate of live bugs and worms."
"OH MY GOSH! Him! I remember now...yes, that was him. What is it with that guy? It's like normal human interactions are beyond him. I'm telling you Jeremy, this place is full of bizarre goings on, strange people and all I can say is that I take back everything bad I said about growing up in Montreal, that's all."
"Bizarre goings on, strange people with hidden agendas...sound familiar?" said Jeremy. Barbara turned to face him and nodded.
"Aren't you just a little bit curious about it all?" he replied.
"Hmmm, maybe" she said, pouting.
"You know you are! You know it! You're doing that indignant French pouting you do when you know I'm right but don't want to admit it."
"I am half-French you know" she said with a shrug.
"And there's the Gallic shrug as well. You can take the girl out of Quebec..." he said, smiling and moving closer to her.
"I still don't like the Landgraabs" she said, still staring and pouting at him in defiance.
"I know you don't. Neither do I" he replied, still inching his way closer to him.
"Then why...?" she said, her resolve melting as he got closer.
"I want to be James Bond" he said, their faces only inches apart.
"I think....you're halfway there..." she said, her resolve now melted she moved closer to him. Their lips met and they began to kiss. Dropping the bouquet she threw her arms around him.
"Oops, sorry, is the store closed now?" said an old lady, emerging from the bathroom. She looked shocked at the young couple kissing. Jeremy and Barbara immediately broke off from their embrace.
"I'm so sorry, Ma'am" replied Barbara. "Erm...this is my boyfriend and...erm...I haven't locked up yet so the door is open...and...well..."
"Oh don't apologise" said the old lady. "He's rather fetching I must say...and you were wonderful today, young lady."
Jeremy and Barbara had a little laugh and hugged again. "How about we put all the troubles to one side and head off for an evening out?" he suggested to Barbara.
The young couple headed down to a place they'd never been before: Whiskerman's Wharf down at Brindleton Bay. It had long been a place to visit on their to-do list but with all their busy work lives, plus their favourite haunts of The Blue Velvet Bar and Waterside Warble Brindleton Bay had been always just out of their reach until now.
"Oh this is lovely" said Barbara. "Reminds me a bit of Nova Scotia"
"This reminds me of....well, we never had anything like this back in Colorado. We had lakes and rivers...oh, and mountains. Lots of them." replied Jeremy.
They went into the local tavern, which they both found quaint and homely compared with the hip-ness of evening spots they were used to like the Blue Velvet and The Orange Peel. Barbara was impressed with the wine list.
"Hey, is that the Beach Boys? It sounds like them but I don't know the song" she said, looking at the juke box.
"Maybe it's their new one" said Jeremy. "I don't know much about them, I'm afraid."
Barbara wanted to talk about the big issue of his job interview, but not in a confrontational way this time.
"Tell me what happened at the interview" she said.
"They were really nice, actually. I took a tour of the facility; didn't find out anything suspicious but it was a nice environment and super-modern. They treated me to lunch and everything was casual." he replied.
"Do you think that's just what they want you to see?" asked Barbara.
"Oh most definitely! I'll find out more next week"
"Next week?"
"Yes, they want me to take an initiative test"
"What's that all about?" said Barbara, puzzled and suspicious.
"I go in, take a few tests to see how I cope under pressure..." said Jeremy, nonchalantly.
"That sounds creepy" she said.
"It's the latest fad in business; most companies have something like this. It's all about the efficiency model"
"O.......K......if you say so; I've not come across that before. When I worked for Hamburgerman I was only asked one question: What is your name?"
"Well, I'm being groomed for upper management so I have to undergo these formalities" he replied, calmly. "Hey, it's a nice evening, let's go out on the pier for a bit"
They stood outside the tavern, looking out at the bay. The evening wasn't freezing cold but Barbara wished she'd brought a jacket or coat with her nonetheless. Jeremy put his arm around her as they enjoyed the moonlight.
"You know I'm still not sure about this new job" said Barbara.
"I know" replied Jeremy. "But thanks for trying to understand anyway"
"I don't understand it all, but some of your arguments make sense...it's the risk factor I don't like" she said. "If only there was some kind of sign or heavenly voice telling me which way we should go, I'd feel more relaxed about it"
"Well, we could wish for a sign by the Moon" he said.
"How quickly do you think it'll reply?" she said, smiling.
They took a walk down by the harbour but now she was feeling tired and worn out after a long, often stressful day.
"Ugh...this is all lovely and romantic but I'm so tired now, let's get a cab" she said.
"I'll look out for one" Jeremy replied.
Barbara started to look around for a bench to sit on and rest her weary feet and tired legs when she caught sight of something that looked familiar. It was a cat; a ginger and white one with tiny ears and a bit chubby around the middle. Could it be the cat she met back at Pupperstone Park right before she started the boutique?
She walked over to the little creature, which looked at her with its big green eyes. Yes! She thought, it's the same cat; right down to its markings and resemblance to a Canadian provincial senator.
"It's you, isn't it? The cat from Pupperstone Park!" she crouched down and gave the cat a little stroke under the chin. It purred loudly in response.
"You couldn't remember me, could you?"
"Meow" said the cat.
"Well don't you have a habit of showing up at the most unexpected times!" she said, smiling.
"I've just hailed a cab, Barbara, it's waiting for us" said Jeremy, now back on the scene.
"Jeremy...this is that cat I told you about meeting at the park." she said.
"How can you tell? I mean, strays are ten a penny" he said, sceptically.
"I know it is! Same fur markings, same big eyes and tiny ears...and, look, he trusts me" she said, crouching down again. The cat rolled onto its back and Barbara gave it a tummy rub.
"He certainly knows how to charm you! Anyway the cab's waiting" said Jeremy.
"Well, I asked for a sign and here it is...my little Senator. Last time I saw him I had that good fortune with the shop. Maybe this is a sign to trust you on your endeavour?"
"A bit weird..." said Jeremy "...but, yeah, I'll roll with it. Well then little fella, we need to go"
"Awww, well I know where to find you next time puss-puss" she said, stroking the cat one last time.
Not even the pleasant surroundings of the Bayou down at Crawdad Quarter could alleviate the sheer boredom of running to keep fit. It wasn't Julia's favourite form of exercise but instead she treated it as a discipline and that word was one of the central foundations of her ethos. Keep calm, stay disciplined, do not shirk. They became like a small mantra she could chant as she did her fitness run.
She finished off her run by taking a shower and getting changed at the Movers n' Shakers gymnasium and then getting breakfast at the Blue Velvet. There was a lot to do today: Her normal shift in her new, improved position at the hospital plus...if she got the time and no one paid scrupulous attention to her...analysing those samples Suzy gave to her.
When she arrived at the hospital, the scene was chaotic. Dr Murakami was manning the front desk, dealing with phone calls and a growing queue of patients.
"Where's Nurse Griffiths? Or Nurse Newell?" asked Julia.
"Stomach bugs...there's a lot of it going around right now. I've had to call in some locum doctors and nursing staff to join us today and we got lucky" said a terse Dr Murakami.
"Lucky? How?" asked Julia.
"One of our locums for today is top drawer: Harvard, Heidelberg and has just finished a 12 month stint at Guy's Hospital in London. Dr Bledsoe; keep a look out for him and help him navigate his way around here but with his credentials you'd be wise to learn what you can off him whilst he's still with us"
"Wow, he sounds impressive" said Julia.
"Yes, he is...and don't let his boyish good looks distract you either: We're all medical professionals here!" said Murakami, sounding a warning tone.
"Believe me, Dr Murakami, I do NOT let my head get turned by good looks; boyish or otherwise" replied Julia, rolling her eyes in annoyance at yet more yucky lovey-dovey talk she had to endure from others on a daily basis.
Julia grabbed the notes of her first patient today: Lucas Munch. As she was starting to specialise in Paediatrics Julia was assigned mostly children's cases today. Lucas was a very nervous little boy with shaggy, floppy hair and cherubic cheeks. She thought he looked like a scruffy little angel but her bedside manner with children was one of her specialties and she soon had him a lot calmer.
"So where's it hurting, young man?" asked Julia.
"Ugh, my head, doctor" replied Lucas.
"Not your stomach then?"
"No, Ma'am...erm, I mean, Doc...erm, I mean Doctor. It's my head. It hurts, kind of like an ache, and I feel hot and, well, icky"
"Well then, let's do some tests and I'll find out what's going on with you, OK? Now this next part feels a bit uncomfortable but I promise you it won't hurt"
Julia pulled out a swab kit and held it so that Lucas could see it and understand more about what was going on. He seemed more relaxed in Julia's care.
She did ears, nose and throat examinations of Lucas and then headed off to the laboratory to analyse the samples. She processed them quickly enough: She had a hunch the little boy had the 'flu and that was a pretty common illness. She had some time left over to surreptitiously begin analysing some of the plant specimens Suzy had given her.
She became engrossed in this side project so much she didn't notice the door to the lab open nor who entered through it. It was only when she heard a deep voice saying "hello" that she noticed she wasn't alone. At the adjacent chemical analyser was a fair haired man wearing a doctor's coat, he briefly nodded to Julia and she said a faint "hello" back to him.
She continued with her work, figuring that she mustn't look suspicious or shifty doing this analysis otherwise this new person, whether he be one of the locum doctors or lab technicians, might cotton on that she was working on something she shouldn't be doing. As she performed test after test, she gave furtive glances over to the man just in case he was paying a little too much unwanted attention to her work. For his part, he gave furtive glances in her direction every so often.
Once the test results came in, Julia looked at them with surprise: They were very unusual, to say the least. She did a doubletake as she wasn't sure she saw correctly the first time but, however, she had. These results were crazy!
The young man looked at her in a quizzical way but when he noticed that she was looking at him and that her face looked concerned he quickly snapped his gaze back onto his work. Julia smiled, weakly, and shuffled out of the lab. "Oh that guy is going to think either I'm sort of weirdo or else a criminal or spy? Could I have been any more conspicuous?" she said to herself. Normally she'd seek out Francesca for advice or solace but she wasn't in work today.
She put that little incident out of her mind for a moment and concentrated on Lucas' test results which confirmed her suspicion: He had the 'flu. That was easily treated and he could be discharged today so that was one thing off her to-do list. Next, she had to attend to her next patient, Kacie Roche. Miss Roche suffered from a chronic condition which meant that she was a regular patient of Julia.
"There you go, Miss Roche, if you have any discomfort in that area before your next appointment then go and see your local doctor"
"Thank you, Dr Epstein, as ever." replied Miss Roche.
Julia left the room and walked back to the laboratory to see what the results of the tests on the samples Suzy had given her were. No one was there and Julia went over to the printed results to read them. Perusing through the documents she was surprised and even did a doubletake: Suzy said the samples were freshly gathered only the day before but....
She was puzzled, that result normally wouldn't be possible so she went to the hospital medical library to check a biology textbook she had read at medical school to see whether the lab report's conclusion was actually scientifically possible.
"Well that doesn't tell me anything!" she said in frustration. "What am I going to tell Suzy?" She put the book back on the shelf and headed to the bathroom before seeing her next patient. However, when she got there, the sight was beyond horrific.
The toilet was clogged, filthy, infested with flies and broken all at the same time. And this was the staff toilet as well so goodness knows who did this...maybe one of the locums. Julia tried to do some cleaning but it was so gross she baulked at the prospect. Instead she headed straight to the staff room to find someone who could fix it but on arriving there, she couldn't find anyone. She checked one of the clinics to see if she could get an orderly or janitor or anyone prepared to get their hands really dirty.
The only person she could find was the man she saw in the lab earlier. He was sitting at a desk, going over some files when she walked in. He calmly looked up, saw her and smiled.
"You wouldn't be Dr Julia Epstein, would you?" he said in a deep, warm voice that immediately started to charm her. She figured he must be the new, locum doctor given what Murakami said about him.
"I am...and are you Doctor Bluddiblub?" she said, stumbling to remember and say his name correctly
"Bledsoe"
"Bledsoe! Of course! Sorry, sorry...*snort*" she said with her trademark, nervous laugh. "So...how are you finding it here?" she added, rocking back on her heels and feeling awkward with small talk.
"Well...there's a lot of work to be done here and I don't just mean with the patients" he said.
"Oh yes, that's why I'm here actually; the staff bathroom..." she said with a shudder.
"Don't worry, I've got Gandhi working on clearing and fixing that" said Dr Bledsoe.
"Gandhi?"
"Yes, Mr Gandhi the new maintenance man."
"Oh yes! Obvious now you mention it...I thought you might have meant, you know...*snort*...but he's dead" Julia was dying inside just trying to talk to Dr Bledsoe: She just couldn't string a sensible sentence together.
"Well, our Mr Gandhi is in rude health. So I hear a lot of good things about you, Dr Epstein"
"You do? In what regard Dr Bedsore?"
"Bledsoe"
"BLEDSOE! Sorry, sorry, I did it again! I'm not usually this terrible at remembering names"
"Please, call me Vincent"
"Why?"
"That's my name"
"OF COURSE! Sorry, once again! Tsch, what's with me today? Maybe I have that bug that's been going down and why you're here with us today? *snort* Only that affects the stomach so if I start puking up we'll know what's wrong with me! *CHUCKLE*...so....I'm sorry, what were we talking about again?"
"That I've heard lots of good things about you" he said, calmly. Julia was practically cringing at her gaucheness, babbling and poor attempts at humour in front of this man. She thought she might be coming down with something as she felt her mind was all over the place.
"And I've heard some good things about you too...Harvard medical school, Guy's hospital in London...I mean, that's impressive for around here" she said.
"Thank you, although you finished top of your class, I managed only 12th" he replied, smiling.
"Gosh, gee, well *snort* yeah but it was still Harvard after all and 12th there is worth a great deal." She was looking down at her feet now. "Anyway, I'm glad Gandhi's fixing the toilet and...erm...well I'd better get back to my patients, you know"
"Nice to meet you, Julia" said Vincent.
"And you too...Victor" she replied with a little wave. She left the room and shut the door behind her.
"It's Vincent" he said, quietly to himself before shaking his head and smiling.
Julia finished her shift without any further incident. She changed out of her scrubs and into her everyday clothes before heading into town to meet with Suzy. They met up at the Blue Velvet bar and grabbed a table far away from the crowds at the bar itself. Julia didn't quite know what to tell Suzy as the analysis results posed more questions than giving answers.
"So...I analysed those samples you gave me" said Julia
"Oh yes, and did you find out anything interesting?" asked an expectant Suzy.
"Now you said those samples you gave me you gathered from the glade were from yesterday?" said Julia.
"They were" replied Suzy.
"Well...tests reveal that they're at a state of decomposition equivalent to six months"
"Wait, you mean those mushrooms and flowers I picked yesterday are already in a state of decomposition? Equivalent to six month's worth?" said Suzy, puzzled.
"That's correct"
"But...how?"
"I have no idea, but those are the results" said Julia with a shrug.
"The more I discover, the less I know it seems..." mused Suzy.
"That's science in general, I'm afraid" said Julia, trying to reassure her friend.
"Hey, look over there...it's Barbara and she's giving it her all on the dancefloor!" said Suzy, suddenly changing the subject.
Their neighbour, Barbara, was indeed dancing like there was no tomorrow and didn't care who was looking on. However, Julia noticed someone sitting right next to where Barbara was dancing and couldn't believe who it was.
"Wow, Babs is on fire tonight! I wonder if she's celebrating something?" said Suzy.
"Oh boy..." said Julia, with a heavy sigh.
"What's up? Is there something wrong?" asked Suzy.
"The man with the blonde hair sitting right over there, looking at Barbara." said Julia.
"Hmmm, I noticed him earlier. Quite the dish, isn't he? If I weren't already engaged....you know?" Suzy said with a smile and a wink but then she had another thought. "Oh Jules! Do you fancy him?"
"Oh, pshaw! Nonsense! *snort*...no, I mean, you know me: I'm above such things as mere physical attraction in selecting a mate!" replied Julia, haughtily. "It's just...well, I know him. Actually I met him this morning: He's a doctor on temporary assignment to my hospital. I'm just surprised to see him here, that's all."
"He's a doctor AND he looks like that?" said Suzy, wide eyed. "Let's invite him over to join us!"
"NO! No, let's not put him out! I mean, what if he's got a girlfriend already?" said Julia, defensively.
"Do you see him with anyone?" said Suzy. "What's the worst that could happen if we invited him to join us at our table?"
"Multiple and painful deaths...that's always the worst that can happen in any situation" replied Julia.
"You're being melodramatic...let's attract his attention and you can wave at him. Let him know you're here too"
"What if he says no or completely ignores me?" asked Julia.
"You said it yourself; he's only at your hospital temporarily, so if he blanks you then you'll know he's a stuck up jerk and in a few days you won't see him again. But....if he does say hello back, well, that would be nice. Now I'm going to get some more drinks, same again?"
"Erm, yes please" Julia said, hesitantly and she gulped nervously as she looked over to Dr Bledsoe again. At that moment he turned his head and their eyes met. Bledsoe's face broke out into a smile and Julia did a little wave at him. He tried to say something to her but it was drowned out by the music. Julia shrugged and shook her head. Dr Bledsoe cleared his throat and said, loudly.
"I SAID, NICE TO SEE YOU HERE! Oh, the music's stopped" and indeed it had leaving him yelling across an almost silent dance floor. He smiled again at the silliness, rolled his eyes and looked back at Julia. "Would you like to join me here?" he added, more quietly.
"Who me?" said Julia, looking around the room.
"I'm new in town and you're the only other person here I know." replied Bledsoe.
"O....K...." replied a nervous Julia. She stood up, pulled the hem of her skirt down a little and gingerly made her way to his table. She sat down and tugged her skirt hem a little more.
"So nice to see you again" said Bledsoe.
"Yes...it's a surprise...co-incidence; you and me both here at the same time" said Julia.
"Well, lucky me...I take it this place is the hot spot in this area?" he said.
"Yes. Do you...erm...live nearby?" said Julia.
"Not too far. Just a stone's throw away from here; I've rented a small house until I get myself fixed up with a permanent job." he said. "And you?"
"Me what?" asked Julia, puzzled by the question.
"Do you live around here?" he asked.
"Yes, a few streets away but in this general neighbourhood." she replied. There was a pause. "I'm sorry, I'm not very good at small talk today...I...well...you know...social situations and all that *snort*"
She looked away and noticed Barbara sitting nearby. Her neighbour saw her talking with Bledsoe and mouthed silently "Oh my gosh!" and tilted her head towards him. Julia smiled weakly and looked back at Vincent.
"Well, today's been unusual with the sudden stomach bug and all these new doctors and nurses coming in, doing things their own way and not knowing the ins and outs of the hospital so I'm not surprised there's a bit of confusion going around" he said to Julia. "And to be frank with you; I'm nervous too"
"You?" said Julia, surprised.
"Well, a new city, a new job, new colleagues. And when I saw yours and Dr Murakami's resumes I was a bit intimidated at first. I know you're still an intern but what you've accomplished already and that paper you wrote on Paediatric medicine for the Sim City Medical Association was very impressive. I learned a lot from it."
"You...read...my...paper?" said Julia in disbelief.
"I did. And when I saw that you worked at the same hospital I was being seconded to, well, I was looking forward to meeting you. Shame the first topic of conversation we had was about broken bathrooms though!"
Julia let out another of her snorting mini-laughs and Suzy had returned from the bar to see her in conversation with this dishy doctor. Suzy smiled and indicated she'd bought the drinks back.
"Oh, that's my friend, Suzy" said Julia.
"Sorry to disturb you two but I've just bought my friend here a drink...I'm sorry I didn't get you one Mr?" said Suzy to Bledsoe.
Julia spoke up "Oh this is a new work colleague of mine: Doctor Bloodbath"
"Bledsoe" he replied.
"BLEDSOE!" exclaimed Julia. "Sorry, sorry again"
"That's alright; call me Vincent" he said, acknowledging Suzy. "I say, did you get that dress from Carnaby Street? The only reason I ask is that I saw one just like it when I was in London a couple of weeks ago"
"Yes it is from Carnaby Street" replied Suzy, impressed by his observation. "I had it shipped over though; it's an original Mary Quant, as are the boots. You were in London recently? What's it like over there?"
"As they say, a real 'swinging scene' right now" replied Vincent. "I got this shirt from Pink's the shirt makers in London."
"Your friend know a lot about fashion" said Vincent.
"She works for a fashion magazine and I've got another friend over there who runs a clothing boutique. I don't know much about that kind of thing" replied Julia.
"They're certainly with it!" said Vincent but as soon as those words left his mouth he realised that he'd said the wrong thing. "I mean, that's not to say you're...not....I mean, I like your look as well.... look at that: I guess I can get all tongue tied as well."
"You'll be calling me 'Doctor Epidural' next" joked Julia.
"Doctor Bloodbath...I think that's my favourite malapropism of the day" he said, smiling.
He uses words like 'malapropism'! Thought Julia, for no particular reason.
"Well, now that we've both put our feet in our mouths I guess we can start afresh and talk about many things" he continued.
"I agree; cheers" she said, raising her glass. I wonder if he's Jewish? She thought, again for no particular reason.
They talked more, mostly about work, but the awkwardness was dissipating rapidly. He got up to buy the next round of drinks and Suzy quickly came over to talk with Julia.
"I like him! And I can see you like him too!" said Suzy.
"He's pleasant company" said Julia, rather haughtily.
"Oh I've seen you looking all goo-goo eyes at him...'oh tell me more, Dr Vincent!'"
"I do not do 'goo-goo' eyes at anyone" replied Julia, indignantly.
"Must be my imagination then" said Suzy, with a wink.
"Oh hello again, Suzy, I've brought us all drinks" said Vincent.
"Thank you...so...Julia. Will you be doing a piano set tonight?" said Suzy, setting her friend up.
"You play the piano?" asked Vincent.
"Erm...just a bit" replied a shy Julia.
"Oh don't be so modest! Julia has a regular set down here and she's really good" said Suzy.
"Tonight's not my night to play" said Julia.
"The music's stopped, there's no one else at the piano so why not play a couple of tunes? I know you love your music." said Suzy.
"I'd very much like to hear you play" said Vincent.
Julia thought about it, wiggled her head from side to side as she pondered the request and finally relented and got up to go to the piano. She sat there, thinking about what to play, before asking for any requests. Vincent said "I like Schubert, if you know any"
"I know a bit of Schubert" replied Julia. She waggled her fingers and began to play. Vincent nodded in appreciation and Suzy smiled to herself: No doubt about it, this man was ringing her friend's bell!
"It's now 30 days and one wakeup until our wedding day" he replied.
"I know! So you're counting down the days as well, how utterly cute! Give us a kiss" she said, leaning in to plant one right on his lips.
"Anything left to do?" he asked.
"Well, we need to chase up on some of those RSVPs for the wedding. For example, Julia hasn't responded yet" said Suzy.
"Really? That's not like her...she's usually very efficient" said Neil.
"I know...so whichever one of us sees her first, give her a gentle reminder."
"So noted...anyway, I must get to work now; have a great day and I'll see you later" he said, getting up and going to the door.
Suzy watched her man walk off, took a deep breath and thought about what she was going to do next. She did have a work assignment: Take photos of downtown Magnolia Promenade with all the beautiful people in the latest fashions but she thought that wouldn't take long and she had another idea brewing in her mind...
She pulled on her favourite white go-go boots, grabbed her camera and house keys and set off.
She didn't have far to go; in fact it was only across the road to see her neighbour, John Action. They'd met up the day before and exchanged information about this mysterious case involving a conspiracy between rival factions operating in the city. The most mysterious were the group known only as "The Visitors". It was they who had erased part of Action's memory.
She knocked on the door and he unlocked the door and let her in.
"Hey, Action...how are you today? It was interesting catching up with you yesterday: Gave me a lot of things to think about"
"Such as?" replied Action.
"Well...the Visitors for one thing...these almost unearthly capabilities of theirs, it's...it's amazing. I think you might like to see something I've found."
"What's that?" asked Action.
"You know that tree just down the road there? Next door to you? Well...it has a little secret of it's own. I think it's connected to our case." Suzy replied.
"Oh it's our case now, is it?" said Action, raising an eyebrow in surprise.
"Like you said: You work your side of the street and I'll work mine. But we're working towards the same goal."
"You got me there" replied Action. "OK, so tell me more about this tree"
"The Landgraabs are interested in it. They want to buy up this area, bulldoze it, build some kind of industrial plant but...and here's the crucial thing...they want to preserve that tree at all costs."
"Why?"
"I think that's best explained by showing you...." said Suzy, smiling enigmatically.
Suzy led Action down to the large tree that grew between his place and Jeremy's. She rummaged around the tree, pulling aside the creepers, vines and foliage that covered the secret entrance hole until she found it, pushed the bark that covered the precise point aside and peered in to see that the way was clear ahead. A passing little girl couldn't help but notice this strange activity around the tree.
"Aha!" Suzy declared. "The path is clear...now I have a flashlight so I can see the way; do you...?"
"Have one right here, sister. And I bought a few other little goodies along with me." Action said, patting his shoulder holster which held his .38 service revolver.
"OK then, here we go!" said Suzy.
"You know, the last time a lady tried to lead me into the trees she turned out to be a Viet Cong agent" he said.
"Well...I haven't seen any Viet Cong on my two previous trips; I think you'll be safe from them" she replied, drolly.
They made their way down the dark tunnel. By now Suzy was adept at knowing where the dry path was and avoided getting too deep into the little stream that ran across it. When they emerged on the other side, her go-go boots were still in a pristine state.
Action took a deep breath and looked around him. "OK...just how is this possible? I mean..."
"The distance we walked? We should be right smack bang in the middle of the container park and yet we're here with no sign of any buildings or the city whatsoever? I have no idea, Action. This is my third time here and I'm still none the wiser."
"You know those samples you got me last time? Feds took 'em, the whole lot. I never saw the report" said Action; a touch of bitterness in his voice.
"Should we get some more? I was going to take some photos of the place." said Suzy.
"OK, I'll get the samples, you take the pics" Action replied.
"Surely you can't use the police labs to get samples analysed?"
"Well; we're going to have to find someone privately who can do it. Heck, I'm doing all this out of office hours; you dig?"
Suzy nodded and began to search the area for interesting things to photograph. As on her two previous visits to the grotto, she was struck by the beauty and tranquillity of the place.
"Yo...Suz...are you just going to stand around there watching the flowers or are you actually going to get on with some work?" said Action, grumpily.
"Wow, Neil never gives me that kind of stick" she replied, indignantly.
"That's because that man is soft, like Kleenex, when you're around. You're with Action now and that means ACTION!"
"OK, I'll take some photos. What are you doing?" she asked. Action had reached into his jacket and pulled out a series of small sticks, which he attached together to form one long pole. Then he clipped on a spool and threaded some thin wire down the pole.
"That is a fishing pond, this is a fishing rod. Capice?" he said, preparing to cast. "I didn't think you and Dobie Gillis did some fishing here on your last visit so I came to sample some of what's in this pond"
Action began to fish, hoping to catch a bright, rainbow coloured one that he spied but it was too adept at avoiding the bait as it twisted and turned in the water. He did manage to catch something that looked like a minnow but which had different markings and colourings from the ones he was familiar with. However, as he tried to put it in a glass jar filled with the pond water, the fish fell apart into flakes.
It was the same with Suzy and her attempts to gather plant and flower samples: Every attempt to uproot or snip a flower head resulted in the plant turning into slush. Other than the glass jar, Action had brought some police forensic bags along with him to put samples in so the best they could do was gather up some of the mushy specimens and hope the person examining them could find something useful.
As Suzy walked off to get a cutting from a sapling, Action noticed something out of the corner of his eye: It was a bright, glowing orb which floated through the air and left a sparkling trail.
"Wait, Suzy! Look out!" he shouted to her, pointing to the orb.
"What is that?" she exclaimed.
"I don't know but I'm takin' precautions!" he said, pulling out his .38 service revolver.
"Is that necessary?" said Suzy, aghast at the sight of the gun.
"With all that's gone down in this crazy-ass case, yeah, I'd say it's necessary!" he responded.
The orb floated on a path that would make it intersect with Suzy if she kept going to the tree she was trying to sample. She stopped when it blocked her way.
"Looks like it don't want you to go that way" said Action, his pistol trained on the orb. "OK, Suz, you gotta back up there...towards me"
Suzy gently walked backwards until she was standing next to Action. The orb turned to face the pair of them and started to move closer. Action tightened his finger around the trigger but held fire. "I don't think that thing wants us here...we got our samples, let's just make for the tree and head home"
"What...if it follows us back there?" asked a nervous Suzy.
"Then I call for the cavalry" replied Action.
Suzy and Action backed up towards the tree and Action made sure she entered the tunnel first with him covering her. The orb continued to follow them, slowly, but made no other threatening move. Finally Action, without ever dropping his aim, stepped in to the tunnel and they quickly made their way back to Foundry Cove. The orb did not follow them any further.
"I think...after that...we need a drink!" said Suzy, once she'd stepped back into the Cove.
They went back to her place where she poured a gin and tonic for her and a Bourbon for him. She sat down to take a load off her feet but Action paced the room impatiently.
"That was wild!" said Suzy. "Now do you see what I'm talking about? And that strange ball of light? I mean, what do we do now?"
"We get this evidence checked out" said Action. "I'll cash in some favours I have with people in the know."
Action, however, was thinking about other things on his mind...his decision to cool things with Katherine and stay away from her for one. She'd been by his side, a source of encouragement throughout and she'd put up with his sudden mood swings so he was still wondering if he'd done the right thing when he shut her out of his life for now. But his instincts told him that things were getting too hot and dangerous and he was worried for her safety...he'd said he preferred to have her by his side every step of the way and he meant it...now he felt like such a damn hypocrite for changing his mind....but, again, that strange ball of light, the murderous activities of these Visitors and their strange abilities told him he'd made the right decision in the end...dammit, why did having to be right have to be so painful?
As Action downed his drink, the front door opened and Neil walked in, fresh from work.
"Hello darling" said Neil as he headed towards Suzy to give her a kiss. "First shift is over, thank goodness!" he continued, not noticing Action sitting on the sofa. Suzy did a little throat clear to indicate they weren't alone.
"Oh, hello Action" said Neil, turning around and noticing his neighbour sitting there. "So is this a social visit or have you two been up to some detective work?"
"The latter" said Action.
"And, boy, did we find some more interesting things in the grotto!" said Suzy.
"I'm all ears" said Neil, enthusiastically.
"Well, I'll let your good lady wife-to-be fill you in on the details; I need to get going. Later guys; stay sharp".
Neil and Suzy nodded farewell to Action as he left and Suzy was left to explain to Neil what was going on. She told him of the expedition to the grotto with Action, how he caught a small fish and is taking that to get examined and of the strange ball of light that followed them. Neil sat and listened; both amazed and aghast.
"OK, that last detail sounds really strange" he said. "That just ups the ante a bit; a glowing ball of light that followed you? Is that natural? Is it some kind of device or invention?"
"I honestly have no idea, Neil" said Suzy.
Neil hummed while he thought. Then an idea came to him. "I'm wondering...yes...I've seen something that was unusual at Municipal Muses recently. Something that might relate to the case. I'm going to get changed out of my work clothes but then we should go down there"
They headed downtown to the museum with Neil starting to feel pumped up and excited now; he had an idea and was running with it. It was all well and good Suzy and Action taking on mysterious balls of light but, in his own way, he might have a lead on this mystery that would shed valuable light on it.
"So what is it that you want to show me?" asked Suzy.
"A painting, a specific one...I want your opinion on it" said Neil, still enthusiastically but enigmatically. He took her by the hand and led her up the stairs to the second floor and there, tucked away in the corner, was the painting he was searching for.
"There it is...the one at the top. The title is "Sylvan Glade: Forbidden" but note the colours used here...exactly the same pink twilight glow the glade has and even though the painting's an abstraction, you can see that it corresponds to to the view of the glade if you're standing by the main tree."
"Yes..." Suzy said to herself "...YES!"
"But here's something strange...this is by an unknown artist" said Neil, enigmatically.
"Surely the museum knows?" replied Suzy.
"You'd think, but I spoke with one curator here and they said they didn't know who it's by and the little sign says 'by an unknown artist'"
"We have to find out who painted this!" said Suzy, getting more excited. "They might be able to reveal more about that place!"
"Well, I'll look into it...put out some feelers into the art scene"
They left the museum and sat down by the bayou to talk about the things they discovered today and about other, more immediate things.
"Did you get that RSVP from Julia?"
"No, I haven't seen her today; I've been working."
"I'm not judging; but on our way home we should chase her up on it"
"Anything else?"
"We need to change the seating plan for the wedding breakfast...my aunt Claire can't be in the same eyeline as my uncle Burt; don't ask, it's complicated"
"I think we both need a drink...
The two of them headed off to the nearby Blue Velvet Club for some refreshments. Suzy, in particular, was keyed up with excitement about everything that was going on right now...there would be no respite or cooling down now.
The Blue Velvet was buzzing with activity; just the kind of vibe she needed right now. Neil had completed one work shift and was soon to start another so he was tagging along, starting to feel weary. Suzy spotted a couple of familiar faces, old and new: At the bar she got talking to Skye Warner, the latest Lothario Kitten dubbed "Miss American Curl" and her predecessor, Joelene Scholl who was Miss Whiskers and Kitten of the Month for April. Joelene had quit the organisation to become a singer and Suzy could feel some tension brewing between the two ladies.
"So you're my replacement, eh?" said Jolene, looking Skye up and down.
"Hardly a replacement, darling" replied Skye in a dismissive tone. "More like the newest model"
"Well you know the thing about the latest models: They tend to become out of date pretty soon" said Jolene, equally dismissively before walking off.
"Well, she should know" said Skye to Suzy, who had kept out of this matter.
The various internecine petty squabbles of the Lothario Kittens, past and present, were a minefield Suzy didn't want to get in to right now. Maybe a future article about them would be interesting, but not now. She went to check up on Neil, who was engrossed by the music and having chats with some of the other patrons.
"It's all getting catty over at the bar...quite literally" said Suzy to Neil.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart, but I have to get to work now...I will see you tonight." he said, kissing her on the cheek. They said their farewells and Suzy was wondering whether she should head off home now or stay for a little while. The music and general vibe, squabbling Kittens aside, was buzzing. She decided to stay for another drink and think over all the things in her mind from the glade, the mysteries and the wedding plans.
What shook her out of her thoughts was the sight of the very person she wanted to see this evening: Julia Epstein. Now was the time to chase her up on that wedding invitation...
"Jules, how wonderful to see you...I wanted to see you about..."
"The wedding RSVP? I know, I know, I've been slack; Put me down as a 'yes' and I'll have the kosher meal option, thanks for remembering."
"Well that's the guest list pretty much sorted out" said Suzy. "Anyway, how are you doing? Oh gosh, are you with your conservationist friend this evening?" she continued, noticing Kerry Fry sitting at the bar.
"Yes. BUT IT'S NOT A DATE! It's just two friends catching up, platonically." said Julia.
"I'm sure it is" said Suzy, not wholly convinced. After all, Julia was wearing her party dress that was cut in a way to attract attention.
"I don't want to keep you from your friend but can I ask a huge favour?" asked Suzy.
"What do you need?" replied Julia.
"Action, Neil and I have found some strange plant and fish material in that strange glade...could you take a look at them, cast an expert eye over them?"
Julia hummed and didn't know quite what to say. "When you say 'strange' just how strange are we talking about?"
"Well, it's not lethal or dangerous if that's what you mean. It's just...well, odd, really"
"I will see what I can do...probably do it at a time when my supervisor isn't on duty" said Julia.
They talked a little more but Suzy didn't want to get in the way of the "platonic" evening with Kerry so she said goodbye and headed home. As she turned the corner at the end of the road she bumped into Alan Cuffe.
"Alan! Is there a Lothario event going on this evening because your newest Kitten is at the Blue Velvet"
"Yes, that would be Skye...she's doing the usual promotional stuff plus some singing. I'm just going to check on her as this is her first official public Lothario event." replied Cuffe.
"I thought I'd let you know your former model, Jolene, is there as well and the claws have come out with Skye and her" said Suzy.
"Oh, Jolene...." said Cuffe shaking his head. "She had so much potential"
"Her singing career's been doing well" said Suzy.
"Not quite what I meant" replied Cuffe. "I'll be along to smooth the waters"
"Oh, just one more thing Alan...I've made a few more discoveries in my ongoing investigation..." said Suzy.
"I really don't have the time..." replied a hesitant Cuffe.
"But these are pretty big things, Alan, could be the scoop of the year"
"Look, every writer trying to get published in Lothario tells me that a dozen times a day. Submit your article and I'll check it out."
"Alan...apart from Action and Madelyn, who did you speak to after the fire?"
"I talked with the police, of course..."
"Who else?"
"No one of significance, don't concern yourself with such matters, Suzy" Cuffe turned and started to walk off.
"They did something to Action's mind....The Visitors"
Cuffe stopped in his tracks and turned slowly back to face Suzy.
"Don't go down this path, Suzy..."
"Just give me a name, a lead!" she replied.
"Hey! You're Alan Cuffe! You're here!" came a shrill voice from a young man.
"I certainly am" replied Cuffe, suddenly snapping back into his easy going persona.
"I'm a big fan of Lothario magazine, Mr Alan Cuffe. Would you sign an autograph for me? It would be a great honour." said the young man.
"Sure thing young man...do you have a pen and paper?" said Cuffe.
"I don't...but I noticed this young lady has" said the man, nodding at Suzy. She duly obliged and handed Cuffe the items. He noticed that she'd written something on the top page and flipped it over to write his signature on the next one.
"Who shall I make this out to?" asked Cuffe.
"To James Sprague, Mr Alan Cuffe" the man replied.
"To James Sprague...be a tomcat...all the best...Alan Cuffe...there!" he said, tearing off the page and handing it to Sprague.
"Thanks Mr Alan Cuffe!" said Sprague, enthusiastically, but as he checked out the signature he held it up to a nearby street lamp and looked at it closely. Suzy found that a strange flourish for him to do.
"And if you're an avid fan of Lothario, James, I can tell you that Miss American Curl is in the Blue Velvet Bar right now, performing." added Cuffe.
"Alan, I really need to talk with you!" said Suzy, desperately.
"Another time, Suzy" replied Cuffe, handing back her pad and pen before walking off.
As she watched Cuffe walk off into the distance she softly said to James Sprague. "Your timing stinks!"
