CHAPTER 211: Give Me What You've Got

 

"...and with that we can calculate our profits for the first quarter" said Jeremy as he helped Barbara type up the accounts for Pack's Clothing now that had completed three months of trading.

"I'm really glad you're here to help with this stuff, Jeremy" she replied.  "It's one thing to work out what are the latest trends and order stock it's quite another to do the accounts for it all.  I would have to hire an accountant if you were not around.  Another benefit of having you as my boyfriend."

"Wait, I haven't sent you a bill for my services yet" he said with a wry smile.

"Silly...anyway, I need to finish my make up and then I'll be ready for work" she said, getting up from the desk and giving his shoulder a stroke as she walked past him.

As she inspected herself in the mirror she was wondering if she had selected the right outfit to wear today?  Was this what a woman of business would wear?  Well, if that business was owning a mod fashion boutique it might be.  It was her boldest outfit, for sure, and she thought about the contrast between how she looked and the staid, traditional attire of Jeremy and his work.  Yes, Jeremy and his work...there were still nagging doubts...

"You look perfect" came his voice from the bedroom door.  She turned around to see him smiling warmly at her.  "I too have to get changed for work.  I can't wear this sports jacket and no tie to the office."

"Do you have a busy schedule today?" she asked.

"Actually, I do...I have a meeting with my contact who is closer to what's going on with the Landgraabs.  We're going to pool information again"

"Oh Jeremy, each time you have one of these meetings I worry that you're going to get caught" she said with a sigh.

Jeremy sat down on the bed and Barbara went and sat down next to each other.  He then took her hand and gave it a soft stroke of reassurance.

  

"Last month we got through a really intense security check without being detected.  Darrin and I are just going to have lunch in the park, like two regular office workers on their lunch hour.  It'll be fine"

"Can you trust this Darrin?  What do you know about him?" she asked.

"Enough, darling.  He takes more risks than me but he knows a lot of the ins and outs of the company so we're always staying ahead.  Now I don't want to make you late for the shop's opening...you worry about the sales, I'll worry about the rest."

She worried about both on her way to work as the goal was to make enough money to move to a bigger house and then....well, the sound of wedding bells would be next.  A traditionalist like Jeremy would feel the urge to propose to Barbara but his sense of fiscal responsibility meant he wasn't going to unless their personal finances were right to move house, get married and then start a family.

Barbara's new assistant, Toni, had arrived at the boutique wearing a very brightly coloured striped dress.

"What do you think?" Toni declared.

Barbara looked Toni up and down whilst the assistant described the outfit.  "I ordered it direct from Biba in London.  This is what all the shop girls are wearing there."

"OK, it's bright, it's breezy and I like it!" said Barbara.

"The accessories are my own choice, but at Biba the girls wear all kinds with the dress.  So everything's OK?"

"It's fine, just fine, the whole thing.  OK, I'll open up the shop and we'll see if the customers dig it" said Barbara, her concerns about Jeremy disappearing for the moment.

As for the new staff uniform, that went down very well with the customers.  The girls, particularly the teens, all wanted one and the guys appreciated how it looked on Toni.  

Meanwhile at the offices of the Landgraab Corporation things were duller looking but there was intrigue afoot.  At the beginning of lunch hour Jeremy met Darrin Lew and the two exchanged brief, but polite greetings.  Whilst seemingly calm and giving off the appearance of two work colleagues who were more acquaintances that cohorts, the two men gave small nods to one another and made their way downstairs to the building's main entrance.

"We'd best get out of the building quickly" said Darrin.  "The insufferably omnipresent Miss Ethington is around and about."

"Gotcha" replied Jeremy, and without another word the two men quickly made their way out of the building and away from the watchful eye of their personal assistant, but in reality a company spy:  Alice Ethington.  Darrin, in particular, was very keen to get out and away from all those prying eyes and ears.

"Phew, Darrin...slow down a bit!  What's the rush?" gasped Jeremy when they got near some park benches.

"We don't have much time to exchange information.  Did you bring your lunch?  If we're seen eating it then it looks less suspicious" replied Darrin, producing a paper bag with a sandwich in it from his jacket pocket.

"Yeah, it's here" said Jeremy, taking out his own sandwich.  "OK, let's talk"

"Have you heard the rumours?" said Darrin, looking left and right to see if anyone was nearby.

"No.  What's going on?" replied Jeremy.

"There's trouble in Landgraab paradise:  Apparently young Malcolm was found at home spaced out, on a trip, you know?"

"I'm sorry I don't know.  A trip?  Has he been somewhere?" Jeremy asked, confused by Darrin's jargon.

"Yeah, an LSD trip or some kind of chemical."

"You mean some kind of drug?"

"Man, you really are behind the times, Jeremy.  LSD, it's what all the kids and freaks are trying.  It's powerful stuff and messes with your mind...as they all say 'turn on, tune in and drop out'.  Well, Malcolm dropped out big time and Mommy and Daddy found him at Affluista Mansion gibbering on the floor."

"Wow!  So what's that got to do with what we're doing?" asked Jeremy.

"It's more bits of information we can use against them, Jeremy!  Malcolm hasn't kicked his drug habit by the looks of things and as he's the heir apparent Nancy's very keen to get him clean and focussed on business; especially the dirty side of it."

"Yes, but can you prove any of this?" asked Jeremy, still concerned.

"Everything I've heard so far is from the rumour mill.  I have a contact at the local hospital who told me about Malcolm's admission, another contact who overheard a phone conversation Nancy had with her personal doctor and a certain memo in her handwriting that said 'NO POLICE' was carelessly thrown in a trashcan which I just happened to have gone through."

"That's not going to be enough if we do call the police in" said Jeremy with a sigh.

"No, but there might be a witness.  The Landgraab's cleaning lady; she was in the house at the time he dropped the acid...that's the LSD.  Find her and we can get the dirt and maybe a bit more about what goes on in the ol' mansion, if you get my drift."

"I do.  But who is this cleaning lady?" 

"Unfortunately I don't have a name" replied Darrin, with a frown on his face.  Jeremy could see that he was all pumped up with this new bit of information but annoyed he didn't have all the answers.  Even if he had this cleaning lady's contact details Jeremy couldn't work out what good it would do.  Malcolm taking drugs is scandalous but hardly the meaty bit of information that would bring their crooked empire down.

Darrin turned to Jeremy once more.  "This is where you come in, buddy boy.  Not much about this cleaning woman is known; she started working there only in the last few weeks.  Someone said she's from the Deep South but the only other thing I've heard is that she's known by Edna Sneedley, the political activist.  I hear you know Mrs Sneedley as well."

"Yes, but only casually and not very well." Answered Jeremy.

"You must use that contact, Jeremy.  Have a word with Mrs Sneedley and see if you can get some more information about the cleaning lady."  Darrin jabbed his finger towards Jeremy.

Jeremy let out a sigh; of all the tasks he had undertaken in this investigation asking Edna for the phone number of her cleaning lady wasn't the most difficult challenge but still, he didn't think it was worth bothering about, not when he had information to pass on to Darrin.

"By the way, that data on the mine under the mansion is inside that sandwich bag I am leaving on this bench." Jeremy said, softly.  Darrin nodded and then in a louder voice Jeremy said "well, I must get back to my desk, see you later." as he stood up.

"By the way, Darrin...I have one question for you:  Why are you doing all this to get back at the Landgraabs?"

Darrin looked at Jeremy with a severe look on his face but then suddenly turned away and looked off into the distance towards the skyscrapers of San Myshuno.  "I have deep, personal reasons.  That's all you need to know." he said.

Jeremy didn't respond but instead went back inside the building.

At the end of his shift he headed over to Magnolia Promenade to meet Barbara and catch up with her.  She had just closed the shop for the day so they sat by the little playground and shared their respective days with one another.

"I'm telling you, we had one of the busiest days ever!  Toni is a godsend...I get serve customers, restock outfits and clean the place so much quicker with her help.  Here's the receipts for today..." she said, passing a cardboard folder with them over to Jeremy.

"Wow, you're not joking about business...that's great.  Another step forwards for Project: New Home." he replied.

"And you, my dear?  Did you trigger any alarms whilst skulking around your work?" she asked.

"Barbara....how do you feel about getting a cleaning lady?" he replied, enigmatically.

CHAPTER 210: Free Publicity

Yep, that's me there with the lovely Colleen right behind.  She's actually at my home and we're going to spend time together...just the two of us.  How has this happened?  Well you're not going to believe this but she approached me...apparently from next semester the school's going to produce a weekly newspaper and Colleen is one of their star reporters.  They need stories and she remembered that I had just started a band and she now wants to do a story about it...so she approached me down at the park and asked for an interview.  Well, that's good free publicity AND she even remembered my name correctly this time!  Big win for me, eh?

"Welcome to my humble home, Colleen.  How's the newspaper going?  Got any good stories lined up?"

"Oh lots!  The problem will be working out which ones will go in the first edition.  I want one of my stories in it, maybe even the front page!" Well, that's enthusiasm for you.  I like her style.

"I suppose I'd better tell you all about The Bluestones then" I say, smiling warmly at her.

"The who?"

"Not The Who, The Bluestones.  That's the name of our band" 

"Oh, I see.  Groovy name.  Where did you get the idea to call yourselves that?"

"From a blue quartz gem I bought at the market.  It was actually the suggestion of...." and that's where I stop myself from continuing that sentence because the idea came from Lulu Strang, who is hated by all the girls at school for some reason I haven't yet worked out.  Best not to bring her name up in this conversation with Colleen... "...erm...a collective decision by the three of us:  Rohan, Efrain and myself"

I show her inside and I offer to get her some refreshments but she says all she wants is a glass of water.  It might not be an exotic cocktail but I make an effort to present it to her as if it was.  I show her the couch and invite her to sit next to me.  Already I can feel my heart beating faster just by being near her but I try to maintain a cool exterior.

"Well, can you tell me a bit about yourselves...who are you, who plays what, etc?" 

"I'm Jamie McGregor" I give a little self-deprecating laugh when I say my name.  I'm not sure she's impressed by that.

"I play guitar and sing a bit.  Then there's Efrain Webber, bass and vocals and Rohan Elderberry, keyboards"

"And vocals?"

"We're not sure if he can sing at this point."

"And what about drums, or a lead singer?" 

"No drummer as yet but we might not need one"  I avoid the topic of lead singer because Lulu wants to do that; sure, she's got a terrific voice but there's that unpopular tag she has.  I know it's cruel on her but I figure we build up the band's reputation first and then unveil Lulu as our singer.  Or we can put her in a mask and refer to her as 'The Mystery Singer'".

Right about then, Dad suddenly appears and he's got this glint in his eye that I think is one of approval of something.

"Oh, hello Jamie.  I didn't realise you had company"

"Hi Dad.  Yeah, this is Colleen and she's at school with me.  She came over to interview me about the band and my music."

"Hi Mr McGregor.  I hope I'm not intruding" 

"You're not.  In fact, it's fortuitous you being here at this time..." he says, enigmatically.

"Why's that, Dad?"

Dad said nothing but instead cleared his throat and nodded in the direction just past me.  I look behind me and see there's a guitar on a stand!  I look back at Dad with a puzzled look on my face.

"Yep...it's that guitar you said you wanted.  I got a promotion at work and kept my promise that when money wasn't so tight I'd get you one.  Now your band can really get going..."

"Wow...Dad...that's fantastic!  Thank you!  Thank you so much!" I go to hug him and stop myself, because Colleen is watching, so I change it to a hearty handshake instead.

"Didn't you have a guitar before, Jamie?"

"I had to borrow one, Colleen.  But, hey, this one is good and there's no going back now...The Bluestones are really going to be in business!"

"So, Mr McGregor, do you support your son's musical ambitions?  What about Mrs McGregor?  And your neighbours?"

"Sure.  It's a bit of harmless fun and it's good for Jamie to have a hobby.  Both Mrs McGregor and I support him and his band.  We're not sure about what the neighbours think, though..."

The guitar sounded good, but it needed tuning properly.  I strummed a few chords and nodded appreciatively.  I turned to my Dad and Colleen to check out what they thought.  Dad was smiling and Colleen looked on with interest before she checked her wristwatch.

"I've just seen the time...I need to head on to the Casbah Gallery for my school project that's due in next Semester."

"Sorry to hear that...I was hoping to show you some of our setlist."  I was just starting to ease up around her and now she has to go.  Improvise, Jamie, improvise....

"Maybe another time, Jamie"

"Hey, as it happens I have to head that way anyway...they have a music room.  How about we head down there together and we can continue with the interview?  Then, when we get there, you can do your stuff and I can do mine?"

She nods and says "OK" and inside I cheer whilst outside I maintain my cool.

"...and although The Beach Boys are our main influence I've recently been digging Bob Dylan and Donovan.  Well, we're here."

"We are.  That was really interesting what you were telling me."

"I hope I'm not boring you"

"Not at all, this is really good.  Lots of things that can go in the article."

"You know, if you've got any follow up questions, don't hesitate to ask"

"Shall do.  OK, we'd better get inside"

As we head inside the gallery I know I'm here under some false pretentions.  I don't really have to go to the music room here, it's of some usefulness and it's not urgent, but the chance to hang out with Colleen is a 1 in a 1000 one and after the pool party fiasco I want to make a good impression on her.  I try to be cool about this, that our interests are just happening to coincide this time but she's a classic beauty...at school guys either pine for Judy Keith or Colleen Corby and there are many who would give anything to be in my place right now.

"So...I'll see you later.  Good luck with your project, Colleen."

"Yeah, I'll see you around."

"Look forward to it"

There's a brief, awkward pause between the two of us.  I make what I think is a warm, friendly gesture of thanks and she kinds of nods and heads off.

 I head up to the music room and strum around for a bit.  The guitar here has a lovely, clear quality to its sound and the acoustics in the room are fantastic.  I rarely get a chance to come down to the Casbah and practice because it's always fully booked out at weekends and it's more expensive to hire than the snug at Desert Bloom Park.

I don't know how long I was playing for...30 minutes, 45 maybe but I wanted to head to the bar to get a drink so I put the guitar down and left the music room, whereupon I bump into Colleen!  She was still here.

 

"Hi there...I didn't know..."

"I didn't know you'd still be here"

"Yeah, likewise.  So, Colleen...how did your project work go?"

"Great, thanks.  I'm doing a thing about pop art so there's lots here to take a look at.  I'm going to buy a book from the gift shop so I'm heading downstairs now"

"Right...right...well, I'm done as well.  So....we're going the same way, I guess?"

"Yeah, sure."

Well this conversation is flowing with wit and repartee...I'm so nervous I don't know what to say.

We head downstairs and I see the cafe area is still open.  

"Do you have to head straight home, Colleen, or...."

"I'm not in a rush" 

"Would you like to get a coffee before you go?  I was going to get one as I worked up quite a thirst in the music room."

"Well, if you're getting one then sure"

Whilst she goes into the gift shop to buy a book I go to the cafe and order a couple of coffees.  I sit at the counter, eagerly awaiting her return.  I can feel my heart beat faster but at the same time I can also feel my stomach churning.  Eventually she comes and joins me in the cafe.

"Thanks Jamie...hmmm that tastes good."

"Did you get that book?"

"Yes, thank you.  It's what I need for my project.  The trouble with the local, general bookshops is that they don't have those really rare and niche interest books on art and literature I'm in to and it's too far and expensive to go to the really top stores so this small gift shop came up trumps."

"I'm glad it's worked out for you"

"Hmm, and I hope things go well with your band.  The last time I saw you there was talk about getting me and Judy free tickets to your next gig:  Is that an offer that still stands?"

"Absolutely!  We need to build an audience and it doesn't hurt to have a friend in the press" I say, smiling to her.  I wonder if she reacts to me calling her a friend?

"Hello Colleen...are you ready to go?" that was another voice entering the conversation.  A guy's voice.

"Almost, David.  Well, it's been a blast today, Jamie.  See you later" 

I look around and see that the other guy is none other than David Watts:  The #1 head honcho at school.  Of course he'll be dating Colleen...of course!  Colleen grabs her book and purse and goes over to greet David, who doesn't even acknowledge my presence!  Then she takes his arm and they saunter off together.  Who was I kidding?  I never stood a chance today with her.  OK, she's the school newspaper reporter, that is all.  A strictly business relationship from now on.  Time to go home, salvage some positives like the new guitar and an upcoming story in the school newspaper.  Not a win on the romance front, but...hey...free publicity.

CHAPTER 209: What The Maid Saw

 

There was something about the way George looked this morning that was bothering Edna.  She looked at him suspiciously as he was eating his breakfast...He was wearing the blazer and sweater she had bought him recently; inspired by the same one Geoffrey Landgraab often wore, but that wasn't it.  Finally, the penny dropped.

"George...you're not wearing your glasses" she remarked.

"Well...I...didn't want to wear them today.  I've got my contact lenses in." he replied.

"But you don't normally like wearing those" said Edna.

"No...but we're cooking a lot of spicy food in the hotel kitchen today and there are times when contacts are better to wear than glasses whilst cooking certain food" was his reply, which was a bluff.  He had put his contact lenses in for other reasons which he would never explain to his wife.

"Oh well, I'll defer to your professional judgement.  You look very smart without your glasses, especially in that blazer and sweater I bought you." she said with a hint of pride in her voice.  "Anyway, I must go and get changed for work.  This is the big one today, George; today I submit my candidacy papers for the City Council!"

"There'll have to be an election first, Edna" he replied, sounding a note of caution.

"Pshht!  A mere formality!  I mustn't be late...I want to hand in my candidacy papers as the official League of Decency representative!"  she said, standing up and pointing to the ceiling.  

As she went to the bedroom to get changed, George put the dishes in the dishwasher.  He checked his watch:  He was due at work in just over an hour...not his regular job at the hotel but his secret, second job.

She had booked a taxi to take her to City Hall and as soon as it had arrived and she headed off George quickly ran to the basement bunker to get his special suitcase.

...and then back upstairs to begin his transformation into Beulah.

He had the use of the car today so he drove to Affluista Mansion being careful to park the car on a nearby road down the hill so to protect his true identity from his employers:  The Landgraabs.  As he walked towards the mansion he cleared his throat and practiced his Southern Belle voice.

"Ah dew declay-ah.  Oh mah, Mistuh Geoffreh!  Another mint julep, Mistress Nanceh?"

He was met at the door by young Malcolm Landgraab who seemed indifferent to Beulah's presence, which was a contrast from his father's flirtatious fawning and his mother's amiable patronising.

"Oh it's you, Beulah.  I'd forgotten today was the day you come to do the cleaning.  Come on in, I trust you know where all the equipment is?" he said in a bored tone of voice.

"Why thank you, Masteh Malcolm.  Yes siree ah know where everything's kept..." Beulah replied.

"Oh good God, I hope not..." he said, enigmatically.

Malcolm went to the downstairs living room and flopped on the sofa to watch TV.  He was using a new fangled remote control to switch from channel to channel, never settling on any show for too long.  Beulah got on with the job in hand, starting to clean the rooms from the upstairs to the down.  Eventually she got to the lounge where she saw Malcolm, still seated on the couch and watching television.

"Ahm done in all the bathrooms, Masteh Malcolm.  Ahve also vacuumed your bedroom and the upstairs office so if y'all got work and stuff to do you can go right ahead." she said.

"That's fine, thank you.  I will be going upstairs in a moment." he replied.

As Beulah went to leave the lounge, Malcolm turned to her and called out her name.

"Come here, I want a brief word with you" he said.

"Ah trust everything's satisfactory, Masteh Malcolm?" she replied.

"Everything is satisfactory, I just want to bring up something that is going to happen.  You can sit here..." he said, patting the space next to him on the couch.

"I will be receiving a visitor any time around now..." he continued.  "A young lady..." he said with a wry smile.  "When she arrives show her straight in and tell her I am in the upstairs study; she knows the way.  Now this is the important point, Beulah:  Under no circumstances are we to be disturbed, except that if my parents arrive home and she is still here you are to alert me, do you understand?"

Beulah nodded.  She had heard that Malcolm was quite the ladies' man around high school.

"That's a good girl...and if all goes well there will be a little bonus from me to you when you leave" he said.  "Now I'm going to my room, please show the young lady up when she arrives"

"What name does she go by?  So I can tell if it's her who comes a' callin'" asked Beulah.

"There's no need for names...it will be her, just show her in"

Again, Beulah nodded to signify she understood.  

Beulah then cleaned the kitchen and the two other bathrooms located on the ground and 2nd floors before she heard the doorbell chime.  She suspected this was Malcolm's mystery girlfriend so she answered the door like a proper household maid.

"Y'all be the young lady Masteh Malcolm is expecting" said Beulah.  The young lady merely nodded and walked past her.  

Beulah followed as the woman walked upstairs to the top floor and along to where Malcolm was.  This young waif's age couldn't be determined:  She looked as though she might be a high schooler but at the same time there was a maturity in her walk and poise and even though her dress was so short it almost gave Beulah/George one of their funny turns it was clearly expensive and beyond the resources of a mere teenage girl...unless she came from money like Malcolm.

"Masteh Malcolm, you're lady caller is here" said Beulah.

"Thank you, Beulah, that'll be all for now" he replied.  Beulah started to go downstairs.

"Leanne, good to see you...please, come on in to my study" said Malcolm to his visitor, who followed him in to the room.

They sat down on a couch side by side and Malcolm looked at the girl from head to toe.

"I can't get over how completely different you look these days." he said.

"The transformation was extensive" she replied, flatly.

"So I can see...you even look younger.  What my mother wouldn't give to have access to the technology you use"

"She would not like it.  It is not a very comfortable process" replied Leanne.  "So this is where you run your little empire, Malcolm Landgraab?"

"An ever growing empire, Leanne" he interjected.

"Of course..." she replied.  "Anyway, to business.  I did what you requested and Mr Green is no more."

"Did you erase every trace of him as you promised?" asked Malcolm.

"That proved more difficult.  He resisted absorption too much...I had to dispose of him using other means but, rest assured, his cause of death will keep your law enforcement baffled."

"You mean there's a body!" said Malcolm, loudly in panic.  "If there's a body then the cops will examine it and they might trace Green's death to you...and eventually me...and that can't happen!"

"Relax...there is no way to connect you, him and me unless you have been careless at your end.  As I said, there is a body but the causes of death and motive will keep the police too busy to come looking for you.  They will suspect Alan Cuffe's assistant; I have planted clues to ensure they go after her and not us.  Besides, they are sure to assign detective John Action to the case and he has had his memory wiped of my existence."

Meanwhile Beulah had heard Malcolm's shouting and went upstairs to see if he was alright.

As she approached the upstairs study she could start to hear the conversation between Malcolm and his visitor.

"You assured me there would be no trace, no body...he would just disappear!" exclaimed Malcolm.

"You need to calm down and be less emotional, Malcolm Landgraab." the girl replied.

"You should have been more careful!" he fired back at her.

Beulah was now starting to become concerned at what she was hearing but what happened next truly shocked her.

"I am now starting to think you are the unreliable one here, Malcolm Landgraab" said the girl.  "I must know if you are to be trusted anymore"

"Wait...no!  Not that!" the boy exclaimed, the look on his face was one of terror.  The girl put her fingers to her temples and Beulah watched green waves of light shoot out from her head and into Malcolm's.  The boy's body quivered and convulsed as he let out an unnatural sounding gurgle.

Beulah had seen enough and ran down the stairs, terrified.  She remembered to grab her purse on her way out as she sprinted to her car.

"Oh my God, she's a mentalist!" she gasped.

Beulah got to her car, quickly started the engine and sped off back home.  She was almost hyperventilating all the way.

Parking up the car she got out, got her front door keys and went to go inside when she saw her path was blocked by a young, smartly dressed black man.

"Excuse me, Ma'am?" said the man.

"WAAAA!  What do you want?" exclaimed Beulah, trying to maintain the feminine accent.

"Sorry to disturb you like this but are you part of a cleaning agency or do you work freelance?"

"What?" said Beulah, incredulously, before realising that she wearing a maid's uniform.  "Oh...no, no agency, I work alone." she added.

"The thing is, I need a cleaner for my home and I've seen you around and about here and thought I'd ask if you're looking for more work" continued the man.

"I'm, ah mean ahm not lookin' to take on any new clients, sah" replied Beulah.  The man's eyes narrowed suspiciously as soon as Beulah spoke in that broad, Southern accent.

"Is it because...I'm a negro?" he said, looking at Beulah with suspicion.

"Oh no, sah, not at all!  Ah mean, I know what y'all must be thinkin' with me being from the great state of Georgia but ahm not racially prejudiced an' all that!"  Beulah was frantically backpeddling now and still coming to terms with what she'd witnessed back at Affluista mansion and now being cornered by a passer by who was thinking she was a racist....and not forgetting that Beulah was a fabrication created by a man who was born in California and now lived in Sim State.

Beulah composed herself before continuing.  "Look...ahm very busy n' all with my current list of clients but ah don't want you to get the wrong ide-ah about me.  If the gentleman has a business card ah could have ah could see if I have space in mah diary for another client....oh you do?  Ah see sir works for that fine company; Dewey, Cheathem & Howe.  Well, that right there tells me y'all a fine gentleman."

"Are you....alright, ma'am?" asked the man as he saw Beulah acting all flustered.

"Oh it's just....women's things, that's all." she replied, fanning her face.

"Well, you have my card...call me when you can and I hope to engage your services.  Good day, ma'am"

"Y'all have a fine day, sir!" Beulah said, suddenly smiling and cheery.  The man walked on, turning briefly to see if Beulah was indeed alright.

Once inside Sneedley Burrow, Beulah headed straight downstairs to the bunker and poured herself a stiff drink.  She was hot and flustered and the wig was becoming uncomfortable so she took it off and started to become George again.

Once fortified with some drink, George began taking off his female attire, stowing it and putting on his regular male clothes.  Then he went back upstairs to ponder what he should do now?  Did he want to work for the Landgraabs anymore?  Edna was keen for 'Beulah' to work for them so that George could feed her information about their activities so if he did quit he'd have to come up with some cover story why Beulah couldn't be around anymore.  Another thing, did he even want to be Beulah anymore?  She had only come into being because he dragged up one day and got spotted by Geoffrey Landgraab, who has a crush on her!  George's little past-time was now in danger of getting out of hand.

"You assured me there would be no trace, no body...he would just disappear!" 

The words of Malcolm Landgraab heavily implied that someone had been murdered.  That sent another shiver down George's spine...what to do, what to do?  He was still pondering that when he realised he had to go to his regular job now...and forgetting that he hadn't taken his make up off...

As for Edna, things couldn't have gone better.  She had lodged her paperwork to stand for election for the City Council and then decided to treat herself to a new hair-do, make up, manicure and outfit...and she felt great.

Whatever her mood she found a drink or two enhanced it and so, knowing that George would be at work and desiring to show off her new look and start canvassing for votes she headed to her favourite social venue:  The Solar Flare Lounge.

"Hello, Mrs Sneedley, may I say you're looking radiant today?" said the barmaid.

"Why thank you; it's a brand new outfit...from Seares, no less.  My usual, please" 

The barmaid nodded in approval and poured Edna a large glass of red wine whilst Edna settled herself at the bar.  One of the things she liked about The Solar Flare was it attracted a more mature clientele and not a bunch of frightfully dressed teeny-boppers like other establishments.  Soon she got talking to an older man who was bemoaning how he never sees his kids these days as they're far too busy with their work and themselves...

"I know...it's so terrible with young people these days, and it's just getting worse.  That's why, when I'm elected to the City Council, I'm going to bring more community service programmes and make the youth of today sign up to work in them."

In the background there was another regular; the teenage musical prodigy, Eliza Dudley.  The old man looked at her exquisite playing with joy on his face.

"She's very, very good...now that's the kind of community service we need around here" he said.

Edna was more circumspect.  "That gown, though...reveals far too much shoulder and the sequins are overdone..." she muttered.

She could only stop for two drinks as she wanted to go and see the Landgraabs about the possibility of campaign funding.

"Edna, I hear congratulations are in order" said Geoffrey when he opened the door to her.

"Thank you, Geoffrey, but today was merely the beginning.  I am an official candidate for office, that is all at the moment" she replied.

"Come inside and tell me more about it...would you like a drink?" he asked.

"Well...normally at this time of day I would say no, but on this occasion I will make an exception" she replied, somewhat dishonestly.

Drinks were served and the two of them retired to one of the many studies in Affluista Mansion to discuss matters.

"Edna...you strike me as a person with vision and purpose and I like that, I like it a lot" said Geoffrey.  "I...and my company...are prepared to support your candidacy for the local council and, perhaps, even higher office in due course"

"Oh Geoffrey, thank you for thinking me capable of such an honour!" said Edna, outwardly feigning modesty but deep inside she felt validated.  "You know I, and my league, want what's best for our fair city...a city your family has been at the centre of since its founding."

"Indeed, the Landgraabs and Sim City are intertwined and I don't wish to see it being undermined and subverted by the very people you and I despise....if you know what I mean?"

"I do, Geoffrey, I certainly do." she replied.

"So we will back your campaign; with money for advertising, TV and radio slots, posters and feet on the ground to convey your message.  Only....please leave our names out of your business; for form's sake we have to appear neutral." said Geoffrey.

"Of course, I will be the soul of discretion" said Edna, smiling obsequiously at him.

"Very good.  Just between you and me I think City Hall needs shaking up...Victor Feng has let things slip in this city and I will no longer be supporting him or his party." Geoffrey stood up "Alas, I have very pressing business to attend to, Edna, so goodbye for now and all the best."

Edna took the cue and stood up as well.  "Thank you, Geoffrey.  Give my regards to Nancy"

"I shall...and the same for George and that wonderful cleaning lady you found; Beulah.  She is such a treasure!"

"Hmm, do you know, Geoffrey...I still haven't met her" said Edna.

She went outside to wait for her taxi to take her back home but was shocked and horrified by the appearance of a young, teenage girl who was dressed scandalously.  Edna couldn't restrain herself and felt it was her duty to berate the urchin.

"What on earth are you wearing?" she yelled from across the street as she advanced on the girl.  The outfit in question consisted of a pair of extremely short denim shorts that showed signs of being torn and shredded and a billowy, Asian inspired top that exposed the girl's midriff.  The look was completed by a pair of fake-jewel sandals.

"That outfit should be declared illegal!" exclaimed Edna.

"Hey, don't get heavy with me!" replied the girl, with gusto.

"Heavy?  What are you talking about?" sneered Edna.

"Listen, lady, quit twisting my melon!  You know, man, this is what all the groovy people are wearing up in Haight Ashbury"

"Hate what?" asked Edna, not understanding a single thing this girl was saying.

"Haight Ashbury, it's like, you know, in San Francisco"

"Ugh, a Californian!" said Edna, shaking her head.  

"You know, lady, it's a free and beautiful place and it's happening, baby, it's really happening"

The girl could have been speaking in a foreign language to Edna, who shook her head disapprovingly and was only too happy to leave in the taxi when it arrived.

Back home Edna brushed aside the confrontation with the silly girl and took a moment to inspect herself in the mirror.  She was sure George would like this outfit on her, it was a shame he was still at work.  Still, the biggest and most exciting prospect was that now she was going to take on the big political parties and, with Landgraab support, she was going to enter the public stage...big time!