CHAPTER 239: The Intern Blues

 

"Why is there so much evil in people?" Julia thought to herself.  She hadn't been at work long and today's list of patients showed the dark side of life in the city.  A stabbing victim, a woman who had been beaten by her pimp until her face was unrecognisable and a young man who had overdosed on heroin had required her attention either fully or in part with other doctors.  And they weren't much source of encouragement either:  One of the senior surgeons seemed to have a callous indifference to these patients as he kept muttering about how dealing with the dregs was preventing him from operating on better, more wealthier invalids.  Other junior doctors cracked bad taste jokes about the sick.  Her work colleagues weren't as nice or friendly as those she had known and worked with since she started at this hospital:  Harper was now on nights, Francesca took on a senior administrative role which paid better and she needed to earn more money to look after her daughter on her own.  And as for fellow doctors, she was still haunted by memories of Vincent Bledsoe...

She took a moment to calm herself down in the bathroom mirror; she was a professional and she had to put her feelings to one side in order to do her job properly.  She left the bathroom and grabbed a medical chart for a Mr J.J. Gotcha.

James Jefferson Gotcha, age 46, resident of Sim City, profession:  Businessman.  Symptoms:  Spiral warts, coated tongue, bowel moths, torpid liver...eugh, this sounds rough, thought Julia.

When she entered Mr Gotcha's cubicle he managed to stir himself slightly from his bed.

"Well helloooooooooo nurse!" he muttered.

"Not nurse.  Doctor.  I am Doctor Julia Epstein and I will be dealing with your case.  Now I have a list of symptoms but I would like to perform some tests on you."

"You can perform any test you like, Doctor" he said, trying to sound flirtatious but with a raspy wheeze to his voice.

"Please, Mr Gotcha, try to take this seriously and less with the attempts at a witty come-on.  There are strict rules about doctors and patients fraternising; rules which I adhere to 100%."

"Now you're just playing hard to get..." he replied, forcing a smile on his face.

"I think your wife might object" she said, pointing to his wedding ring.

"Dang!  I keep forgetting to remove that!" 

"OK, now sit up, Mr Gotcha...I'm going to do an examination which might hurt you more than it hurts me..."

After her shift Julia made her way home.  All the while she kept thinking about all the sleazy men she had encountered at work since she started at the hospital.  It was mostly patients who were trying to hit on her but by now she had heard every cringeworthy pick up line that was out there, endured some pinched bottoms and even some gropes.  It made her seethe inside and she had even complained to her boss, Dr Murakami.

"I know it is unacceptable behaviour and we have strict rules but we must treat patients, no matter how leery they get.  Goodness knows how many comments and inappropriate physical contact I have had over the years, Dr Epstein, but we can't go running for help every time a louche man tries his luck with female staff.  It's just the way some men are."

"But there has to be a deterrent, Dr Murakami!  Something that will make men think twice!"

"What, call security?  A waste of their time.  No, you have to learn to brush the minor annoyances of these patients off...it's what women have been doing for all time."

"But if these men cross the line....I mean, there's got to be a word for this kind of activity...sex discrimination...."

"If you feel truly threatened, and your safety is at risk yes, call security.  But those same leery men are looking for weaknesses in women...they resent us being doctors, lawyers and scientists and they'll try to make us look weak.  Don't give them that excuse!"

Julia was annoyed at how blasé Dr Murakami was, but given her older age and growing up in a more traditional Japanese-American environment, she had accepted her role and limits in a way Julia hadn't.  Well, sex pests was something to bring up at the next League of Decency meeting.

Julia had decided to play host for the next meeting and had made some cookies for everyone.  Then she got changed into her League uniform...she knew George and Edna were sticklers for detail so she made sure she cut no corners with looking smart.

The first guest to arrive was the newest recruit:  Vance Mannero.  

"Hello, Vance, you're the first here...would you like a sugar cookie?" she asked, being the perfect polite hostess.

"I would, thanks.  It's been a while since we all met together for League business" said Vance, gruffly, as he took a cookie.

"It has.  I suppose with Geoffrey Landgraab's death and him being our benefactor we haven't had much time to get together.  Do the police still think it was an accidental death?"

"As far as I know, yes.  They haven't ruled out suicide either...anyway, it's not my case; Homicide are on it."

Julia looked shocked at the word 'homicide' and tried to find something else to talk about.

"So....what do you think of men who pester women at their place of work?" she asked.

After getting Vance's opinion on the subject, which involved rubber hoses and alleyways to teach people a lesson, the others began to arrive for the meeting.  Julia hadn't put together an agenda or anything, this was more about getting the club together for a social gathering in preparation for something more serious in the near future.

The male members of the league gathered around the kitchen table to eat the cookies, the women sat of the sofa and George kind of went between the two groups, not sure which one to gravitate towards more.

Julia told Edna her thoughts and worries about men being sex pests and Edna nodded appreciatively before letting out a little chuckle and waving her hand dismissively.

"Oh I know all about that sort of thing, my dear" she said, heartily.  "I have a slap that's more powerful than my slight figure would suggest.  I recommend you develop a powerful slap as well...works wonders."

"Mind you, I don't meet many of those sort of men...and my George is never anything less than a gentleman, aren't you, dear?"

"Yes Edna." said George, meekly.

"If you can't keep a man in line verbally, you need to dissuade them with force" said Edna, emphatically.

"I'm not a physical person, Edna, and I dislike confrontation of that sort" said Julia.  "I just hate the way some men view me as a kind of object.  I mean, they just look at you and without getting to know you or your personality or mind they just lust after you!"

"I'm going to get some cookies." said George, uncomfortably.  His memory still fresh from Geoffrey Landgraab lusting after him when he was being Beulah.

"Julia, don't think I'm unsympathetic" said Edna, after they too grabbed a few cookies for themselves.  "I think what's going wrong with men is this permissive society.  I blame the war; everyone back then thought this would be their last time to...well...you know...have carnal knowledge so standards went woosh, straight out of the window!"

"I think one of our missions in the League is to make men gentlemen again.  We need fewer men like The Rolling Stones and more like Cary Grant.   I will add that to our next agenda." said Edna.

An idea was now percolating in her mind...yes, a new quest...and one that would take a swipe at Alan Cuffe and his pornography empire.

The amiable chatter went on and everyone agreed that a good plan to put into practice would be to encourage better gentlemanly behaviour from men which was in line with the League of Decency's charter.  One by one the guests left but Scott Urban volunteered to stay behind to help Julia tidy up.

"That's very kind of you, Mr Urban, but I can do this..." said Julia.

"It's Scott, ma'am, and I don't mind helping.  I sure did like those cookies and had more than my fair share so the least I can do is help you tidy up." he replied.

He grabbed some plates and coffee cups and took them over to one of Julia's two sinks in the kitchen area.  

"Those dishes go in the right hand one, Scott" said Julia.

"Yup, got it...I was forgetting you are of the Jewish persuasion and that y'all have two kitchen sinks" 

"That's alright, Scott, but I'm impressed that you know about that.  Not many people do and I'm always being asked why there are two sinks."

"I like to do my research, Miss Julia.  Anyways, I really dug what you had to say about men being gentlemen and I agree:  I was brought up in a small town where there were good Christian values...well, I mean, Jewish values are also in line with the whole...erm...godliness thing...I mean no offence."

"None taken.  Do you know, Scott, this morning I was down in the dumps about how men are just letches these days but this meeting tonight...you, George and Vance, have restored my faith a little.  George is always a courteous and faithful husband, you are always polite and respectful and Vance...well...I guess he's there for when men step out of line...."

"Yup, he sure is like that, nyuk" said Scott with a smile and a chuckle.

"Are you in a rush, Scott?  I can't face any more paperwork this evening and I was just going to have a glass of wine and relax in front of the TV but if you'd like to stay a bit more then you're more than welcome because I'm enjoying our conversation."

Scott gulped and nodded.  "That would be mighty fine, Miss Julia."  he said, his heart starting to pound faster.  He had a crush on Julia but he realised he was a working class boy from a small town and an army background whereas Julia was intelligent, well educated and sophisticated.  But just a few minutes in her company made him feel happy.  Maybe the divide between them was too vast but...then...maybe not if the stars aligned just right?

CHAPTER 229: Don't Tell The Wife

Edna couldn't quite put her finger on it but George was acting out of character lately.  He seemed more emotional and quick to change mood.  One minute he was talking about his work in great detail, the next he would look furtively out of the living room window as if he had feared something that lurked outside...

"George, is there something bothering you?  You seem a bit jumpy at the moment" she said, quizzically.

"Oh nothing in particular, my love...I've got a lot on my plate work wise..." he said defensively.

"My love?  You don't usually talk in such a flowery manner..." 

"Don't I?  Well, maybe I don't heap enough praise on you for all the wonderful things you do, Sugar Pie"

"George!  Mind your language!  We have a League of Decency meeting later today and it sends out the wrong message if you go around calling me 'sugar pie' in public."

"Sorry dear...I will mind my manners when we're out there"

And out there was Uptown San Myshuno, the heart of the city.  Edna was scoping out the scene because in a few hours the League of Decency were going to hold a rally there.  Already hanging around there was a young man with a Beatnik style beard and glasses (at least Edna thought he looked the Beatnik type) who was checking a large and professional looking camera.  She decided to approach him.

"Hello there, Edna Sneedley; the League of Decency...thank you for coming along today.  Now we shall be assembling over there, by the fountain, where there will be some speakers and a more informal discussion with members of the public.  You can position yourself anywhere you like as long as you don't block the speaker whilst they're giving a talk and if you want any shots of myself then please don't hesitate to ask....after all, I have a great respect for our Fourth Estate...."

The man looked confused.  "Excuse me, Miss Sneedley...I have no idea what you're talking about."

Now it was Edna's turn to look confused.  "But aren't you here to cover the League of Decency rally?"

"No, ma'am, I'm here for a publicity shoot for rising pop star Lisa Richardson"

At that moment a lively young blonde woman popped up next to the photographer and introduced herself.  "Hey there, Lisa Richardson...Lil' Lisa according to my publicist.  Groovy to meet you...I don't discriminate against my older fans."

Edna shook her head and just walked off.  

She went to get a drink from somewhere but there was only one coffee shack in the area and none of the bars around here were open so a coffee it would have to be.  She cursed under her breath that she didn't bring along a hip flask of something stronger with her today.  However, she didn't have much time to rue that decision as a very flamboyantly dressed young man who sported a very thin moustache and obviously dyed blonde hair approached her.

"This much talent..." he said, cryptically, holding his thumb and forefinger close together to indicate a tiny amount.

"I beg your pardon?" replied Edna.

"That Lisa Richardson, she's got practically no talent, no personality but she has a good agent and can pout for the camera.  May I join you?" said the young man, indicating an empty seat opposite Edna.

"Erm, why, yes...I don't see why not.  So you know that young, brash and overly self-confident girl, do you?"

"For my sins, alas yes." he replied, sitting down.  "I have to in my line of work:  Style critic."

Now Edna wouldn't normally approve of a man like this one who dressed in an outrageous manner, dyed his hair blonde and with a camp voice but something about his blunt cynicism appealed to her.

"A style critic you say?  And how are you with all the latest styles and fads?" she asked, probingly.

"Fads come, fads go...style endures.  I don't care if it's mini, midi or sackcloth as long as it's worn with class.  I mean, look at the models...Suzy Parker, Jean Shrimpton and Colleen Corbett; all classy.  Marianne Faithful and Lisa Richardson; trashy.  By the way my name is Diego Lobo...and you are?"

"Edna Sneedley; Chairwoman of The League of Decency." 

"Oh so YOU'RE the Edna Sneedley I've heard about.  Enchante, madam"

He had heard of her...now she was liking him more.

"Yes I am, Mr Lobo.  I hope what you've heard is all good."

"Honey, I've heard so many things about you:  Good and bad.  I neither approve nor disapprove of your organisation:  If it gets rid of nasty, cheap fashion I'm all on board.  Now might I say you have a strong look going there, Mrs Sneedley...may I call you Edna?  Good.  You look a lot like Joan Crawford but I would suggest updating the look:  Jackie Kennedy's Chanel style needs an update.  Do check out Pierre Cardin, I think he would suit you."

"Oh Mr Lobo, you do flatter me....but DO go on..."

Meanwhile George was about to begin the opening speech of the League's meeting.  "Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.  My name is George Sneedley, vice-chair and membership secretary of The League of Decency...today we have many guest speakers addressing a wide variety of topics including lawlessness, the fight against Communism, jaywalking, littering, public health and sexual mores....but first up is Dr Julia Epstein of Willow Creek Community hospital to talk about the importance of child health in our local community..."

There was a small ripple of applause from the small crowd as Julia walked up to the podium.  Acknowledging her audience she began her talk in a hesitant tone until she found her confidence as her topic became more technical about medicine.

Afterwards Edna was approving of Julia's speech but still took the time to lightly criticise her presentation.  "On the whole, very good, young Julia but you need to hook your audience in with your opening statement... I recommend beginning with something startling and terrifying to really grip the crowd!"

George came over to chat with the two ladies.  "What did you think, George?  About Julia's speech?" asked Edna.

"Oh quite nice, actually.  Quite nice" he said, in a faintly vague manner as if his mind was elsewhere.

Edna was too busy looking around for a member of the public in attendance to give a League leaflet to so she didn't notice George's manner, but Julia did.

"George..." Julia began "are you alright?  I saw you at the Blue Velvet Bar last night and you seemed distracted..."

"No you didn't" snapped back George.

"I'm sure I did...we spoke outside the bar..."

"I wasn't in the bar and if I were I wasn't distracted" he again snapped but in a hushed tone that wouldn't alert Edna.

"Now here comes our next speaker, Scott..." interjected Edna, who hadn't paid any attention to Julia and George.  "Now have you still got that schedule George?  We must keep to the schedule"

"Yes dear...it's your turn to announce the speaker, Edna" he said, glancing at his clipboard.

"Right, best get to it!" she replied.  She then made a clicking noise with her lips, as if to indicate thirst.  "I wish there was a place to get a drink around here..."

She approached the podium and smiled at the crowd.  "I am very pleased to introduce our next speaker.  A brave young man who gave 4 years of his life to our fine military in defence of our nation against the Communist aggressor...Technical Sergeant Scott Urban, now Mr Scott Urban..."

Scott stood behind the podium and began his speech.  "It was during basic training back at Fort Hood, Texas, where I had a personal epiphany...It was on viewing a training film about syphilis..."

Whilst the speech went on and Edna watched on, enthralled, Julia took the time to approach George privately.

"George, I did see you in the bar last night...if there's anything you want to talk about, remember I am a doctor and what you tell me is in the strictest confidence."

George bit his bottom lip before responding but eventually he spoke.  "Yes...I was in the Blue Velvet last night but please don't tell Edna!  It's not her kind of establishment.  She went in there once but ended up having a furious row with that Suzy Kent woman.  I don't know what possessed me to go in there last night but...lately...things have been a little...erm...how can I describe this?  Well...it's like I have two lives at the moment...and it's juggling them with the knowledge that I have...I...I...well, it began as a simple thing, really, and it got out of control...and now I know things I shouldn't and I don't understand them either..."

Julia couldn't make head nor tail of what he was saying but it sounded like he was trying to confess to having an affair.  She tried to respond, tactfully.

"Is there...another woman, George?" she asked.

Again, he didn't immediately respond but looked down at the ground at his feet and then he did another thing she found strange:  He looked at hers and with a tilt of his head his gaze went slowly upwards, looking at Julia all the way.

"No...well, yes...well, kind of, but not in an infidelity way.  You know in the Bible there's the part about thinking about another woman is the same as knowing them?  I mean, you must have that in your version..."

"The Talmud?  Yes, I know the reference.  So is this about desiring another woman?"

"No...well, possibly, only...well, this other woman's more of an ideal than an actual person.  It's something within me...except it's not that simple as it's about what I...and she...witnessed..."

"But this person doesn't exist?" asked an increasingly confused Julia.

George shook his head and said "No, forget it...just don't tell Edna that you saw me in that bar!" before he walked away.

Everything after that was an anti-climax for both George and Julia but Edna was buoyed up by a crowd of nearly 30 people showing up and listening to the speeches; not all at the same time, however.  George went home to get changed for work but Edna wanted to continue her canvassing by going to see an old acquaintance:  Nancy Landgraab. 

Nancy was there to answer the door and she greeted Edna with a warm-ish smile.  "Edna, what a pleasant surprise, do come in."

"Thank you, Nancy...once again, my condolences on dear Geoffrey's untimely passing.  How are you coping?"

"Well enough; fortunately I'm kept busy with the business, the Landgraab Foundation and all our subsidiaries.  My father has returned to help run the company and Malcolm has been such a blessing in this troubling time.  Come through to the sitting room...would you like a drink?"

"Oh would I ever!" said Edna, smiling enthusiastically.

They walked through to the spacious lounge where Nancy poured Edna a whisky and soda.  "So..." began Nancy as she handed Edna the drink "...how have you and George been keeping?"

"We're fine...in fact doing quite well.  We had a League of Decency rally today and it was a qualified success if I do say so myself."

"Do have a seat, Edna.  I know my Geoffrey was always supportive of your cause."

"He was, Nancy, our biggest supporter.  I've also spoken with your father; a great man and he too was enthusiastic about what we do."

"Was he really?" replied Nancy, raising an eyebrow.  "Well, we've got some shared values, Edna.  You and your organisation are broadly aligned.  We do still have the same enemies..."

"Oh yes...pests.  As it happens I'm running for office; for city councillor."

"Yes, but there's still people that need bringing down, Edna.  I think that needs to be a priority." Nancy said, emphatically.

"Well, I can be more effective if I'm on the council"

"Yes, indeed.  And, frankly, the Fengs need pulling down a peg or two."

"So can I count on your support?" said Edna, pushing her point.

"Hmmm....yes, I think you can.  Anyway, I must be getting on Edna.  I'll see you to the door and hope to see you again." said Nancy.

The two women stood up and Nancy escorted Edna to the door.  Edna felt pleased to secure Landgraab support and she felt emboldened as she headed back down the valley to Bedrock Strait.  George wasn't home yet but Edna felt she deserved a victory drink.

CHAPTER 224: What Now For Beulah Boutee?

On the surface, it was just a regular day in Oasis Springs.  Children were off to school, teenagers and young people on their way to college.  The postman was delivering mail and all was as it was supposed to be.  But that was on the surface; beneath there were people with secrets and desires...

One such person was George Sneedley who was currently dancing around as his alter-ego; either Georgina or Beulah.  It had been a difficult couple of weeks for George:  Geoffrey Landgraab's fall from grace, subsequent mental breakdown and eventual death just hours after George had seen him, had hit him harder than he had admitted to his work colleagues and wife.  Geoffrey, in a manic state, visited Sneedley Burrow in order to find Beulah and found George in drag instead.  He wanted to elope with Beulah but George, reluctantly, had to admit to Geoffrey that he wasn't the woman he thought he was but was instead a man, and a man who had no intention of running off with Geoffrey Landgraab.

Geoffrey was the only person in the world who knew that George was a transvestite and now that secret had gone to his grave...or had it?  George wondered if Geoffrey had told anyone else...but it had been two weeks now and no one had come to George to say that they knew.  Maybe his secret was still safe...

Yesterday George bought a woman's exercise leotard on an impulse.  He hadn't planned to stop by Pack's Boutique and look at women's clothes but he found himself drawn to the shop and felt compelled to go in, and once there his curiosity had been aroused by the leotard with its figure hugging stretchiness.  On his first visit to Pack's he had had a panic attack; partially from sensory overload of seeing so many colourful and fashionable women's outfits that he, deep down, wanted to try on but also from this struggle within himself between the traditionalist who favoured modest, classically tailored women's clothing and a stirring within him to embrace the new fashions of 1966.  As Beulah he had spent a lot of time in the company of Nancy Landgraab and she was extolling the virtues of shorter hemlines, bright colours in man-made fabrics, heavier eye make-up and pantyhose over stockings.  Some of Nancy's influence was starting to affect George...or rather Georgina's...ideas on style.  In his new skin tight exercise outfit, he was enjoying dancing around.

After an hour of prancing and dancing about he changed into his favourite pink satin dress and read some cookbooks in order to learn more recipes for his work.  Once more he felt sensual and feminine in this outfit.

Then he went for a walk down the road.  He was confident now he could pass for a woman because no one batted an eyelid and no one looked at him strangely.  He was accepted as another passer-by and he loved the experience of venturing out in public dressed as a woman.

He sat down on a bench by the communal garden at the end of Bedrock Straight and just enjoyed the peace and fine weather.  Then he got to thinking about where to go with his cross-dressing.  When he had that confrontation with Geoffrey and heard about his death his first instinct was to gather up all his outfits, make up and wigs and throw them in the trash, but his desire to cross-dress was too strong to abandon.  However, Beulah was a creation on the fly when Geoffrey encountered him and it was Beulah, not his original feminine alter-ego; Georgina, that had dominated.  If a police investigation was being very thorough then they might want to question Beulah...so George resolved that it would be Beulah who would go in the trash and not 'Georgina'.

Beulah Boutee was no more.  The fake Southern Belle routine would be ditched along with some things that made her distinctive.  George then decided on how to make-over Georgina to distance herself from Beulah.  A change of hair colour?  A different style approach?  Maybe work more on losing weight to appear more svelte or else resort to using an old fashioned corset to give the appearance of a figure?  All things to consider going forwards.

George went home and took a look in the mirror, silently saying goodbye to Beulah.  It was fun for a while but she was also partly a construction of Geoffrey Landgraab, whose attention and devotion to the character pushed George into creating her.  As Geoffrey was no longer with the world, Beulah would be metaphorically buried with him.

Reverting back to George just before he had to go to work, he looked to the future not with worry but with excitement.  What would the new Georgina be like?

Meanwhile the campaign trail had been productive and the donations were starting to trickle in to the Sneedley For District Representative campaign so Edna decided to head to her favourite drinking spot and celebrate in a small way with a few drinks.

Edna noticed a man sitting next to her; an older gentleman with very bright and clear blue eyes who had an air of relaxed confidence about him as he sat at the bar dressed as if he was going to play golf.  She had never met this man before but recognised him from newspapers, television and his own portrait which was prominently displayed at Affluista Mansion; home of the Landgraabs.

"Excuse me, sir, but would I be addressing Mr Malcolm Landgraab III by any chance?" she said.

"That's me...who's asking?" he said, calmly.

"Mrs Edna Sneedley; I am an acquaintance of your family.  May I offer my sincere condolences over Geoffrey's untimely death.  He was a great benefactor, ally and...dare I say it...friend to myself and my husband, George."

"Thank you, Mrs Sneedley"

"Call me Edna"

"Alright, Edna.  You said Geoffrey was a benefactor and ally:  For what?"

"Oh I organise a charitable organisation called The League of Decency.  Your late son-in-law and his wife, Nancy, were great supporters in our quest to improve society by opposing loucheness, immorality and sexual impropriety."

"My Nancy has supported that?" said Mal, with a wry smile.  "I'm sure she has donated handsomely, I mean."

"Yes, a wonderful woman...an example to us all.  I know you have a lot on your plate to deal with, Mr Landgraab, but I would very much like it if the Landgraab Foundation were to continue supporting our cause."

"I will go over your file when I get to the office and review the company arrangement with you.  As you may gather, I have a lot of other business to attend to at the moment"

"Mr Landgraab, sir...you are due to tee off at 3:30pm" said a man in a pale grey suit who wore a matching peaked cap.

"Thank you, Leonard.  Mrs Sneedley, I must go now but I will look over your file when I'm in the office.  Goodbye and thank you for your message of condolence." With that, Mal Landgraab stood up and followed his chauffer to the waiting limousine parked downstairs.

Edna was pleased she had got to meet no less a person than Malcolm Landraab III and that she could get him to secure more funding and support for the League of Decency.  Meanwhile, she ordered another drink from the bar and proceeded to canvass the other patrons of the Solar Flare Lounge for their political support.

"I dunno, lady...I'm not really political..." said a young man who gave his name as Gunther Munch.  

"I understand, I wasn't political myself until recently but do you know that crime is on the way up in our fair city?  And also drug use?  These are the ills of the permissive society..." said Edna.

"I think my brother has had plenty of the permissive society...I've been missing out..." replied the forlorn looking Gunther.

Edna's conversation was abruptly stopped when she overheard two familiar, but unwelcome voices from behind her.

"So, Suzy, you're the toast of the town following your Landgraab expose.  How are you going to follow that one up?"

"Well, Penny, I could go back to fashion journalism; there's some really exciting fall trends I've had a sneak preview of, but believe me the Landgraabs are only the first of the big families in Sim City which are concealing secrets..."

"Ugh...Suzy Kent and Penny Pizazz; two of my least favourite people in this town.  My advice, Gunther is to stay clear of loose women like that!"

"We can hear you, Edna" said Suzy.

"You were meant to" replied a haughty Edna in response.
 

"Your slurs have no effect on me, just so you know"

"Well I think it's disgraceful that you should print that scurrilous hit piece on a fine man; Geoffrey Landgraab, God rest his soul!"

"Everything in that article can be verified and, besides, Geoffrey's death has nothing to do with me but more with the corruption of his family."

"Tsk!  Shocking gossip and malicious slander!" said Edna, taken aback.

"You have no idea what's going on in this town, Edna, no idea!" said, Suzy who was standing her ground.

"This, Gunther...this is what I have to deal with!  Vote Edna Sneedley for City Council on September 7th!"

CHAPTER 213: The Trigger Effect (Downfall pt 1)

 

Jeremy approached Sneedley Burrow with his stomach tied up in a knot.  He didn't want to come here and he didn't want to pursue this investigation into some cleaning lady that the Landgraabs and the Sneedley's employed but his gung-ho colleague, Darrin, had egged him on in his usual dramatic style.  Jeremy was angry at the Landgraabs and wanted some justice for what was done to him by them but Darrin's hatred burned passionately and he wondered what they had done to him to make him so vitriolic in his hatred?

George Sneedley was sitting outside on the large front porch of his home, polishing a chess set with glee.  The man seemed engrossed in his task and Jeremy was reluctant to disturb him but he'd come all this way to Oasis Springs so it was pointless to turn back now.

"Oh, hello George" he said when he stepped on the front porch.  George just glanced in Jeremy's direction for a moment before returning his attention to his chess set.

"Hello Jeremy, I didn't expect to see you here" came George's reply.

"Well, I was in the area and I thought I'd come and say hello.  This is a very nice place you have"

"Thank you.  Edna and I have worked hard to keep it so."

"I see you take good care of your chess set"

George looked at this shiny chessmen and puffed out his chest with pride.  "Yes...a memento from my time in Korea.  I polish the set monthly because Edna and I like to have a game almost every day.  Do you play, Jeremy?"

"Oh I'm still learning the game, George...so much strategy to take in."

"By the way, is Edna in?  I wanted to talk with her about something" he asked, his stomach tightening as he thought about using a plausible cover story in order to get information out of the Sneedleys.

"She's inside...if you have time, maybe you could join me in a game of chess?" said George.  

Jeremy smiled nervously "Maybe, George, maybe...I'll just go inside and say hello to Edna" he said as a way of an excuse.

He went inside and found the lady of the house straightening a painting on the wall.  "Ahh, Jeremy, I thought I could hear you outside talking with George.  So lovely to see you...can I get you a drink?"

"It's a bit early for me, Edna" he replied.

"I hope you don't mind me having one..." she said, opening a bottle of gin and getting a glass.

"Not at all.  I was in the area and thought...." he said, trying to find the right words for what he was about to say "...do you know, you've got a really great house here, Edna?  I mean, it's so tastefully decorated and so clean!"

"How kind of you to say so, Jeremy.  George and I maintain it to a high standard; it's what separates us all from the riff raff." she said, glaring out of the window towards the shabby looking trailer home that sat opposite their house.

"So...." he said, building up to the point he wanted to make "...do you do this all yourself or...do...you...have something like a cleaner or maid who comes in?" the words came out awkwardly as he didn't want to appear to have an obvious agenda.

"I do most of it myself but I get very busy these days with my ever growing political career so lately we've got a woman who comes in once a week to add some finishing touches and sparkle."

"She sure does an impressive job, Edna"

"Well....I still do most of it myself, Jeremy" Edna said, not wishing to share the credit too much.  "This woman, I believe her name is Beulah, is also cleaner for the Landgraabs, you know" she said in a haughty tone to let Jeremy know that her life and the Landgraabs overlapped.

"You don't say!" said Jeremy in reply, pleased that he got that bit of information from her without difficulty.

"Are you in need of a cleaning lady, Jeremy?  I can understand that looking after a fashion boutique takes up most of your girlfriend's time and that she neglects her household duties." she said with a hint of acid in her voice, especially the way she said 'girlfriend' as Jeremy hadn't married her yet.

"Actually we're both pretty busy so....yes...it would be helpful to have someone do all those cleaning chores." he replied.  "You don't happen to have this Beulah's phone number, do you?"

"I don't, she was arranged by George.  He'll have her contact details.  Oh George..." she called out, before adding as an aside to Jeremy "...I do hate yelling so but often my George is in a little world of his own"

"Yes dear?" came a muffled voice from another room.

"Jeremy has a question to ask you" said Edna.

"I'm in the study working on this week's menus...come in, Jeremy" came George's voice again.

Jeremy went to the Sneedley's dark study, which was in stark contrast to the rest of the house with it's old fashioned bookcases, chairs and desk compared with the modern and sleek design of the rest of the home.

"Take a seat, Jeremy.  What do you wish to ask me?" said George.

"I'm looking for a cleaner...for my house.  I hear you know of an excellent and reliable one.  Could you tell me her name and where I can contact her?  Edna says you have her phone number." asked Jeremy.

"Oh..." George exclaimed; a worried look on his face.  "Well...that's not as easy to obtain as you think..." he spluttered.

"Really, why's that?" asked Jeremy, taken aback by George's nervous response.

"Well, she's really busy working here and at the Landgraabs.  She cleans for them, you know."

"I know, that's how I came to hear about her.  But I also know she only cleans there twice a week and how often does she visit here?"

"Once a week, isn't it, George?" said Edna from the doorway.

"Yes...once a week, but she has other clients" stammered George.

"I'm looking for a one off clean of my house.  Between you and me, George, Barbara and I are thinking of moving house and we will need our present home to be cleaned inside and out before we put it on the market.  Why don't you give me her phone number and she can say yes or no herself when I speak to her?"

George started to pat his desk and look around as if he was searching for something.  "Now...now...erm...I had it written down here somewhere..."

"In one of the desk drawers, maybe?" Jeremy offered as a suggestion.  He thought to himself; why is George acting so nervously?

"Oh yes...a-ha...silly me.  Yes, a desk drawer." said George opening one up and looking inside, humming to himself as he did so "hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm no.  Not here" he said, shutting the drawer.

"That's a pity" said Jeremy.  "So how do you contact her if you or Edna have to change your plans suddenly?"

"That...is a good question, Jeremy.  Yes.  A very, very good question indeed.  Well....we....she...has her own key and she lets herself in and out when we're not around."

"You didn't tell me you gave her a house key" chimed in Edna.

"I'm sure I did" said George, with a frown on his face as he adjusted his shirt collar.

"You didn't.  That's something you should have asked me in advance, George.  I mean, I've never even met Beulah."

"Haven't you?" asked Jeremy, turning in his seat to face Edna.  

"I...er....well, she has never let us down.  LISTEN, I will search this office thoroughly, yes sir I will, and I will call you when I have her number.  It's just that...I'm very busy right now but once I've done these menus I will get straight on to looking for it." George's voice was going up and down with a nervous croak to it and Jeremy thought the man was hiding something, why else would he be so evasive?  At that moment he wished he was like Action and could sweat the information out of him in an interrogation.