One of Julia Epstein's ambitions was to buy a piano of her very own but as a lowly junior doctor with bills to pay, and a relatively small house to live in, she couldn't afford one so instead she would get to practice and perform at the Blue Velvet club, which was a short distance from where she lived. She was getting so good at tinkling the ivories that she would be asked by the management to perform on Sunday evenings which was a good way to add to her bank balance.
At the hospital Julia managed to have a brief catch up with her friends and colleagues, Francesca and Harper.
"It looks empty in here today" said Julia, looking around an unusually quiet lobby. "Where are the patients waiting to be admitted?"
"Admitted already" said Francesca.
"What have you got for me then?" Julia asked as she went through some medical files looking for a case to treat.
"Not much" replied Harper. "Most people admitted are being seen by one of the more senior doctors." Harper looked through a stack of case notes. "A-ha, here's one. Mrs Emmalyn Sanders, bay 5. She's complaining of itchy skin and shows signs of spots covering her body"
"I'll take it!" Said Julia. "Bay 5, Nurse Newell, lead on!"
Julia stepped into bay 5 where she found a very anxious and upset Mrs Sanders who had vivid red and magenta coloured spots and blotches all over her face and arms.
"Good morning, Mrs Sanders, I'm Dr Epstein. Yes, I can see what the problem is from here so let's get down to it by asking some questions about your health and whether you have any allergies..."
But before Julia could start writing anything down her boss, Dr Murakami, entered the room.
"Thank you Doctor Epstein but I'll be taking over this case" she said in a haughty manner.
"But..." stuttered Julia.
"Thank you, you may leave us now" the cold, clinical voice of Dr Murakami cut any protest from Julia off and the young doctor sheepishly exited the room.
"Damn that woman!" she thought. "Always snatching cases off of me!" Julia let out a sigh of frustration and asked Harper whether there was anything else she could do.
"Erm...help me make the beds?" offered Harper with an embarrassed shrug of the shoulders. Julia nodded and glumly accepted the task.
As she was going from room to room, she found a patient she had met and helped before: A child named Kirsty St Clair. Kirsty had diabetes and had to pay regular visits to the hospital. Her father, a busy working man, couldn't always stay with her during the times she was admitted into hospital.
"Kirsty, how are you? I don't know if you remember me but I'm Dr Epstein and I treated you the last time you came in"
"I remember you, Doctor!" said Kirsty, perking up a little when she saw Julia. "I like you the best of all the doctors here"
"That's very kind of you to say so and I'll confess....you're my favourite patient" said Julia with a smile.
She took Kirsty's temperature, checked her notes and enquired about her health in general.
"And how are you feeling at the moment?" Julia asked.
"Actually, I'm hungry" said the girl.
"It is coming up to lunchtime...I'll see what I can get you from our kitchen...if you're lucky it'll be roast day!"
A few minutes later Julia came back with a serving of roast chicken and vegetables with strawberry ice cream to follow. "You're real lucky today" she said. "Chicken is the one meal they do well here"
"Thanks Dr Julia...you know, I wish you could be my regular doctor" said Kirsty.
Julia thought for a moment and then responded "you know, if I have a word with my friend on the front desk then she can let me know when you're next in and I can check in on you...but you must trust your specialist doctor for you diabetes; he's very good."
They chatted more over Kirsty's lunch about her school, her hobbies and how boys were yuck but Julia had more tasks to do and another patient to admit. The person in question was Jonathan Hamlin, a smooth talking hippy who seemed bemused that he was being examined by a young, female doctor. As she led him to Bay 1, she noticed out of the corner of her eye that he was checking out her behind as they walked.
When she suddenly shot him a look of disapproval, Hamlin shrugged apologetically and said "It's my back, babe; I can't stand up straight and, well, my eyes look downwards and not level."
"That's as maybe, Mr Hamlin, but in future if you could refer to me as DOCTOR Epstein and not 'babe' that would make things a lot easier" she responded, coolly.
"Sure thing, ba...I mean, Doc" he said.
"So what seems to be the problem?" asked Julia.
"It's my back, Doc, I was doing the Pose Dedicated to Sage Koundinya II and I felt a sharp twang in my back" said Hamlin.
"The what?" asked a puzzled Julia.
"It's an advanced Yoga move" he explained. "You see, I'm all for centring my Shakras"
"I literally can only understand every other word you say...but I do understand you've hurt yourself doing some kind of exercise" said Julia.
"Yoga ain't just exercise...it's a way, a path" Hamlin explained, shocked at her ignorance.
"But one that can lead to back injuries...alright, we'll get you x-rayed and see what the results are. With any luck you haven't broken anything"
Julia led Hamlin to the newly installed, state of the art, Swedish designed radiology department. Fortunately, Julia was one of the few doctors in the hospital who had read the manual on how to operate the Självlysande Mk IV. "Just remain perfectly motionless, Mr Hamlin" she reassured him. Hamlin stood in stark terror.
After leading him back to his berth, shaken and stirred, she waited for the scans and x-rays to be developed. However, as she passed the reception area she recognised someone waiting to be admitted.
"Oh, hello Kerry" she said, spotting Kerry Fry in the line. Kerry was the son of friends of her parents and had recently been on a blind date that was...moderately....successful. There had been nothing romantic about the date, but it was a pleasant get together.
"Julia, I didn't know you worked at this hospital" he replied. "I wish the circumstances of our meeting were better than me being sick as a dog"
Julia noted that Kerry was covered in very similar spots and blemishes to Mrs Sanders. "There seems to be an outbreak of that skin condition at the moment, Kerry, but we've got a top specialist in that department and I'm sure she'll help you" she said.
"If you get a chance, do stop by for a chat" said Kerry. "Hospitals aren't my favourite of places...unless the company is good" he added with a smile.
Julia gave a small, polite smile back before heading back to her rounds. She went back to radiology, examined Hamlin's x-ray and made her diagnosis. It was just a matter of informing Hamlin from that point.
"Mr Hamlin...the good news is that nothing is broken and it appears that you've strained some muscles and tendons in your lumbar region"
"My what?" said Hamlin
"Lumbar...your lower back. Anyway my diagnosis is to refrain from any yoga, exercise or strenuous physical activity for at least a couple of weeks or until the pain ceases. In the meantime I'll write you a prescription for some pain killers and arrange some follow up visits for you to see a physiotherapist"
"A what?" said Hamlin.
"Physiotherapist. A masseur"
Hamlin's eyes lit up "that sounds groovy!"
"Yes, well, a medical masseur in any case." she said, shuddering at the thought of what kind of masseur he would have had in mind.
It was nearing the end of her shift and she tried to see Kerry but he was already seeing Dr Murakami and she didn't want to cross paths with her boss. Francesca, already changed out of her scrubs, came up to Julia to have a chat.
"Have you made plans this evening, Julia?" she asked. "Only I'm going to meet hubby and dearest daughter for dinner and then he's taking her to ballet and I thought we could head over to the Blue Velvet"
Julia stopped thinking about Kerry and answered Francesca. "Er, yeah, sure. That sounds neat...let me get changed and we'll head off"
After a nice meal with Francesca's family, the two women headed over to the Blue Velvet. Just before entering the club, Francesca paused to ask Julia a question.
"You seemed to know that patient we admitted this afternoon....Kerry, was it?"
"Oh yes, him." Julia waggled her head from side to side trying to find the words to say about how she knew him. Talking about men, dates and personal stuff didn't come easy to her. "Well, he was the guy my folks set me up on a blind date with" she managed to get out.
"Oh him! He's a good looking guy and seems pretty easy going" said Francesca.
"Do you think he's good looking? He's a bit bohemian in his dress" said Julia "but he's intelligent and good company. I had a nice time with him on that date"
"And? Anything else?"
"No! Nothing like that. I didn't think that was appropriate on a first date anyway"
"Depends on the guy...and the girl and the laws of attraction" said Francesca with a wry smile.
"Wait, there are laws?" asked a puzzled Julia.
"I've come up with a new dance move!" said an animated Julia once they'd entered the nightclub. "I call it....the Whirling Dervish" and with that her arms started to wave wildly and she rocked from side to side.
"Woo, look at you go!" said Francesca with a laugh. It was a happy evening as lots of Julia's friends were there as well: Barbara, Action and Suzy...who had just announced her engagement.
"I never had you down as being the first of our neighbourhood to get married...I always thought Jeremy or Summer would beat you to the aisle" said Julia to Suzy.
Suzy laughed. "I know! It's crazy! I'm supposed to be the swinging chick and yet here I am, beginning to plan my wedding! Mind you, there's still time for Barbara or Summer to beat me to it!" Suzy looked over to Barbara, who blushed in embarrassment.
"Or maybe you, Julia?" joked Francesca.
"Definitely NOT me!" huffed Julia in indignation.
As Julia was talking to Suzy, she heard a man's voice nearby calling her. "Hello there, Doctor!" he said. Looking around she saw it was her patient from today: Johnathan Hamlin.
"Hello Mr Hamlin. I hope you're not dancing or doing anything like that this evening...that would be against doctor's orders" said Julia.
"Hey, Doc, I'm just taking things easy...and taking my medication" he said, inhaling deeply. By the way he smelled Julia could tell the medication he was referring to was Pot.
"Well, erm, just keep doing that and you'll be fine but my recommendation is to stick to the prescription medication" she said, nervously.
"Now can I buy you and your lovely lady friends a drink? said Hamlin.
"Erm, I'm fine...you're still technically my patient so...you know, protocol and all that" said Julia, awkwardly trying to get out of this conversation.
"I'm not a protocol kind of guy, as you may have gathered" said Hamlin, in a voice that was part velvet, part oil.
Julia looked around the club and saw Action standing by the fireplace.
"I should let you know, that man over there by the fireplace? He's a friend of mine" she said.
"Invite him over to join us" said Hamlin
"Oh, and he's a cop" said Julia, playing her trump card.
"Wow, that medication really makes you drowsy, doesn't it? I'd better get an early night. See ya!" said a very nervous Hamlin as he got up to leave the club.
Julia smiled and returned to her friends to celebrate Suzy's good news.
"Yo, Rookie...what do you have for me?" said Action as he entered the squad room at Precinct 13 headquarters.
"The suspect...Damian Blount...in cell one needs interrogating. And I ain't no Rookie anymore; I served my probation time and am a grade 1 patrolman"
"Until I see you cut it on the streets when the crap hits the fan, you're a rookie to me. Now, who's Damian Blount?"
"He's the breaking and entering specialist who has a thing for women's shoes"
"Oh him!" Action said, remembering the first time he'd encountered Damian.
"Come on, Twinkletoes, time to sing" said Action as he let Damian Blount out of his cell to be interrogated.
"You had nothing on me last time, Detective, and you've got nothing this time" replied Damian, a sound of overconfidence and disdain in his voice.
"You got off on a technicality and were lucky the judge was weak...but wait 'till you see what I've got this time"
"Ooh, don't tease me!" said Blount, in a mock flirtatious voice.
Action gave Blount a big shove in the back and marched him off to the interrogation room.
"I know it's you hitting all those expensive houses, Damian, you have a distinctive M.O." said Action, shining the desk lamp into Blount's face.
"Oh do tell, Detective" replied a defiant Blount.
"You have expensive tastes and they need paying for...not only do you break in and steal cash, jewellery and other items of value....you like to take dresses, shoes and other ladies' apparel. That makes you a bit different"
"It's not a crime in this state to like women's clothes, Detective"
"Hey, if you want to dress up as a woman that's your gig: I don't care one way or another. But you can't do it in clothes you stole either" There was an awkward pause in the interrogation as Blount remained defiant.
"Prove I stole them, Detective"
Action said nothing but reached into a file and slid a document across to Blount.
"We searched your apartment, Damian" began Action "and found a gold lamé dress belonging to Nancy Landgraab and reported stolen a week ago by her in your closet"
"That dress is legitimately mine" responded Blount, still remaining calm.
"Then how come on the inside lining of the dress there's a pinned dry cleaning invoice MADE OUT TO NANCY LANDGRAAB?" Action raised his voice and jabbed his index finger down on a photocopy of the invoice in front of Blount.
"Erm....I....I" stuttered Blount; his composure collapsed. Action had his man bang to rights....Blount ended up confessing to a series of robberies and once Action had got a signed confession from the suspect and with that job done, he put him back in the cell.
That job done and dusted, Action headed to the Chief's office to update him on the case being closed and ready for trial.
"Well done, Action my boy, well done" said the Chief, enthusiastically when told the news that they'd got a confession out of Damian Blount. "We've been after that one for some time and you were the one that closed the case"
"It still has to go to trial but that confession will help secure the conviction" said Action.
"It'll go to the D.A.'s office and they'll sort it out...well, what are you waiting for, Action, go get out there and crack some more cases!" the Chief said, abruptly.
SAN MYSHUNO, 13:05 hrs
It didn't take long for something to happen downtown that Action needed to deal with. As he was talking to a local by the name of Arun Bheeda a very attractive but panic stricken young woman came running up to him. Looking at her she seemed vaguely familiar but he couldn't place where he'd seen her before.
"Officer! Officer! I need your help, urgently!" she said, out of breath as she came running to him.
"What's the matter, Ma'am?" Action replied.
"I had something of mine stolen, out of my hands, just around the corner from here!" she explained, pointing to a spot around the corner from where they were standing.
"What was stolen?" asked Action.
"An envelope containing some photos" she replied.
"That's all? Your bag wasn't taken was it as well?"
"No, just the envelope" she explained.
Action took a moment to think about the significance of an bunch of photos being taken but a woman's bag, presumably containing her cash and valuables, was ignored.
"And can you describe the man who took this envelope?"
"Yes, he was a black man, in a tank top and flat cap" she said.
"Hey, I've seen that guy around here a lot!" exclaimed Arun Bheena, all of a sudden.
"Ma'am, I'm going to have a look around this area and call in some back up" said Action, instinctively checking his .38 service revolver was still in its holster. "Here's my card; if you see the guy who robbed you, call this number"
"Can I have one of those cards as well, Detective?" asked Arun. "If I see this guy, and I'm pretty sure he hangs out around here a lot, I want to let you know"
"Sure Mr Bheeda, here you go" he said, handing a second card to the keen and eager young man. However, Action had another person he wanted to interrogate...someone who sees all but is hardly ever noticed.
"Howdy Cowboy" said Action as he approached the mime artist who was being a living statue for the day.
"Gnnnaaa arrraaayy" the mime replied.
"I have a few questions to ask you" Action said, flashing his warrant card.
"I shaid....gna array. G'naim trynggghhh to rorwk here" said the mime.
"I don't care if you're trying to work just standing around hoping a pigeon will crap on you...I'm the police and you will answer my questions either here or down at the precinct house"
The mime relented and stopped standing motionless. "Fine, what do you want?" she said.
"Snatch n' grab a little while ago. Black guy in a tank top and wearing a cap stole a large envelope. Did you see it happen or the guy who did it?"
"Yeah, I heard something...a scream then this guy hurtles past me at high speed carrying a big, yellow parcel or something like that. He went that way, towards the bar that's over there"
"And have you seen this guy around here before?" Action asked.
"Oh yeah...he's catcalled me a few times and shouted my act is garbage. I don't know his name though"
"Thanks for the help...and you say he went in that direction?" The mime nodded.
"Say, you should try being more still, Detective. Cast off the cares of the world and let your body be still and at peace"
Action scoffed. "I stand still for no man" he replied and he headed off to the bar where the suspect was last seen heading to. His eyes scanned all potential lurking spots but he couldn't help shake the feeling that something about this crime was amiss: Why steal photos unless there was something incriminating about them? And who do they incriminate?
Up ahead he saw Arun Bheena frantically gesturing off to his right. Action figured he'd seen something, possibly the perp himself. He quickly jogged over to Arun to find out what was going on.
"He's there...the guy who stole the envelope! By that payphone!" said an excited Arun.
Without saying a word, Action crept up on the suspect. Using his Vietnam jungle skills to move silently and undetected he was up on the perp in a flash and had his service .38 jammed into the small of the suspect's back.
"Don't move or you'll have a tunnel going all the way through your guts. Now drop the envelope you're holding right there and down on your knees, sucker!" said Action.
Action cuffed him, read him his rights and called for a Black & White to pick him up. Witness statements were taken from Arun, the Mime and the young woman at the centre of the theft.
"We've retrieved your photos and arrested the man who took them, Miss?" said Action, asking for the woman's name.
"Pizzazz. Penny Pizzazz" she replied.
The "penny" dropped for Action: "Of course, you're the gossip columnist and TV personality" said Action.
"That's me" she replied. "Can I have my photos back now?"
"They're material evidence, Miss Pizzazz. They'll be returned to you in time but for now we need to keep hold of them."
"But they're important for my work!" she protested.
"Don't you have copies? Can you make more from the negatives?" he said.
"Well...yes...I suppose" she said in a faltering manner.
"Good. We'll be in touch, Miss Pizzazz" said Action. His curiosity now piqued as he wondered what was in those photos...time would soon tell.
Back at the station, Action went to seek out the forensic unit. "Say, can you boys in the lab check these photos and this envelope out...I'm not just looking for fingerprints, I want those photos analysed for every last detail."
"Sure, Action" said the forensic chief. "What are we meant to be looking out for?"
"I don't know at this stage....look over them and enlarge any section that you think looks of interest or out of place". Action had a hunch the photos were stolen for something they contained that incriminated someone...but Pizzazz wasn't a known criminal with a habit of blackmailing people...or was she?
At the end of his shift Action headed home for a rendezvous with his girlfriend, Katherine. They were both pretty beat after their work days but perked up once they saw each other.
Action gave Katherine a massage. "Hmmm, that feels good!" she said. "You've got the magic touch"
"You should see all the other things I can do with them" he joked, flirtatiously.
"You've got my attention if it's anything like this massage" she replied. They headed to the bedroom to get more intimate.
"My day was so boring" began Katharine. "Attending all these meetings of charity bodies, organisations and listening to one dull speech after another. How was your day?"
"I got a confession from that thief who steals women's jewellery and clothes and arrested a street robber who mugged Penny Pizzazz, the lifestyle reporter on the news" he replied.
"Oh I know Penny" said Katherine. "Is she alright?"
"Yeah, she didn't get hurt...it was this package of hers that got stolen. Say, do you know her well?"
"A little" replied Katherine. "We attend some of the same events"
"Would you say she's on the level?" he asked.
"Penny? Sure! She's sweet, knows everyone who is everyone and is a positive kind of person. Why do you ask?"
"It was this envelope she was holding...it contained some photos and I was wondering if, in her line of work, the photos would be embarrassing to someone?"
"Penny's not a blackmailer if that's what you mean...well, she doesn't come across like one. I'm tired..." she said, yawning. "Let's go to bed"
"Sure thing" said Action, smiling and undoing his shirt. It was time to put work to one side and to enjoy some playtime. In the morning, Action looked forward to one of the treats of his day...Katherine's scrambled eggs for breakfast!
Suzy Kent slipped out of bed early on Sunday morning being careful not to awaken her boyfriend, Neil, who was still fast asleep. She had arranged to meet someone for breakfast, someone who could help her with the next instalment in her expose on the secrets of Sim City. She gingerly opened a drawer in her clothes chest, careful not to make a loud noise that would disturb Neil so she could fetch some underwear and ever so softly sat on the edge of their bed so she could put on her tights. She cursed under her breath the noise the zipper on her dress made as she wriggled to zip it up herself and decided to put on her boots in the living room rather than in the bedroom. Leaving a note on the dresser to explain to him that she'd gone to meet a contact for breakfast, she tiptoed out of the room and gently shut the door. That done, she put on her favourite white go-go boots, grabbed a shoulder bag and left the house.
Her destination was Windenburg, to a cafe that she knew that was mainly frequented by studios, intellectual types as it had its own library on site. The person she was meeting was none other than Bella Goth. Bella and Suzy had met a few times in recent months and had gotten along well...although her husband, Mortimer, was sceptical about his wife meeting with a journalist (albeit a fashion one) for fear that it would dredge up unpleasant memories of the time when she vanished mysteriously. Mortimer thought that Suzy was trying to write an expose of that incident.
In reality, Suzy wasn't pursuing that line of enquiry. She was more interested in the activities of the Landgraabs and Bella was willing to share some information about them. The two women sat down at an outside table, ordered coffee and croissants, and began to talk.
"I hope you don't mind" said Bella "but I've taken the liberty of asking an acquaintance to come and join us here. I think you'll find what she has to say...interesting"
Suzy was intrigued. "What does she know?" she asked.
"I think it's better if it came from her...suffice to say that young Malcolm might be Geoffrey's nominated heir, but that could be contested by another party"
Suzy put down her coffee and stared with great interest at Bella. Bella took a sip of her cappuccino but managed not to get her lips wet or show a trace of foam. Everything Bella did was with the upmost elegance.
"Can you tell me what this person's connection to the Landgraab's is?" asked Suzy.
"She's a member of a social club that Nancy Landgraab and myself are part of. She's a widow who's very wealthy husband died of a heart attack whilst on the golf course a couple of years ago. Her son attends the same school as Malcolm and Cassandra"
"I'm intrigued already" said Suzy, downing the last of her coffee. They finished up their breakfast whilst making small talk about their day to day lives before Bella spotted the woman they'd come to meet. They got up to go inside and talk to her. The woman was in her late 30s by the look at her but was wearing a very trendy dress....one from a recent collection that she'd reported on only a few days ago.
"Sammi, lovely to see you...thank you for coming" said Bella after the two had air kissed each other's cheeks. "May I introduce you to Miss Suzy Kent from 'Hey, Wow' magazine?"
"Delighted to meet you, Miss Kent" said Sammi.
"Please, call me Suzy"
"Do you know, it was your recommendation in this week's issue of 'Hey, Wow' that led me to buying this dress?"
"High collars and floral patterns are in this season" replied Suzy.
"Indeed. Now Bella says you're gathering information for an article you're writing about the Landgraabs?" said Sammi.
"That's correct. I want to know about how their business interests...especially ones they prefer to keep out of the public eye" said Suzy.
"Oh they've got plenty of those!" said Sammi, waving a hand. "All of them...what Geoffrey gets up to is different from Nancy's activities and as for young Malcolm...well, he's starting his own empire before even graduating from school!"
"That's very interesting...can you elaborate on what those activities might be?" said Suzy, taking notes.
"Well....Geoffrey's buying up land wherever he can for...reasons. He's very tight lipped about that. Nancy, well, nothing's ever been confirmed but there are rumours..." and at the mention of that, her voice dropped low and quiet. "...that her business isn't all together legal."
"She's involved in crime?" asked a shocked Suzy.
"Nothing but rumours, my dear" said Sammi, shaking her head. "I wouldn't want you to print anything that couldn't be verified...Geoffrey has very powerful lawyers. As for Malcolm...he's a terrible bully: Picked on my beloved son Darren for so long after his father passed away. There's nothing that boy won't stoop to, including having his brother disinherited"
Suzy put down her pad and pen. "Wait a minute" she said. "A brother? The Landgraabs have two sons?"
"Oh yes, didn't you know?" said Sammi. Bella shook her head. "Even I didn't know that!" she said.
"Jonathan Landgraab, the eldest of two sons. He was disinherited, some say on Malcolm's urging, and completely cut out of their lives. They won't acknowledge him and rumour has it his name is not to be mentioned in their presence."
"That's very interesting" said Suzy, picking up her pad and scribbling this new information down. "And does Jonathan still live in the city?" she asked.
"Yes he does...but he doesn't use the Landgraab name anymore. He changed it to Johnny Zest....I hear he's some kind of struggling entertainer based over at Oasis Springs"
"Sammi, this is fantastic information. I'll be sure to check it out!" said an enthusiastic Suzy. "Let me buy you another coffee at least"
A familiar face walked over to Suzy and the other ladies: Bakko Jang. It'd been a while since the two of them met and he was always a friendly, welcome presence.
"Hey Suzy....Bella" he said, acknowledging Mrs Goth. "I'm not staying but I thought you might want to know...I heard a little of your conversation and wanted to warn you. There's a lady over there; the one with long blonde hair and wearing a pink sleeveless sweater. She's an associate of Malcolm Landgraab."
Suzy looked over in the direction Bakko had indicated and nodded. "Well, I'd better settle up here and make good use of this information you've provided. Sammi, Bella...and Bakko, thank you for all your help this morning"
Suzy could barely contain her excitement as she headed back home to type up her notes. Now she'd made a real breakthrough!
"Hi, honey, I'm home!" said Suzy when she entered the house.
"I thought I was supposed to say that?" said Neil. "And you look bright and breezy: I take it your special breakfast went well?
"Better than expected!" she replied, enthusiastically, and then they hugged each other tightly.
"Now what have you got planned for the rest of the day?" asked Neil.
"With the new information I've just found out I have to do some research" said Suzy. She noticed that Neil looked taken aback. "I'm sorry, did you make plans?" she said, awkwardly.
"I did" he replied. "I was going to take you out to the Solar Flare"
"Well...how about I do my work this afternoon and we'll have a special time of just us this evening at the Flare?"
"I'll hold you to that!" said Neil. "So what do you have to do next?"
"I need to find a comedian" she said, matter of factly.
"A comedian?" Neil raised an eyebrow. "Oh this is going to be good..."
"I need to interview a comedian, someone called Johnny Zest. We have a phone book and I think his name might be mentioned in a back issue of 'Hey, Wow'....if we can find either a direct contact number for him or at least his agent's that would be my goal"
"Right, we'd better start going through that stack of old magazines...I'll get the phone book" said Neil. "What? You thought I've got anything else to do but get involved in one of your projects?" he said with a wry smile.
Clearing a space on the dining table, Suzy looked through the back issues to see if there's any mention of Johnny Zest and Neil went through the phone book compiling a list of theatrical agents to call. As one did the phoning, the other scoured for any information that could be gleaned about Johnny Zest.
"Only a couple of agents recognised the name" said Neil at last. "He's not represented by anyone as far as I can tell"
"Hmmm, I've found a couple of reviews of his set in these back issues" said Suzy. "Let's give the clubs a call to see if they know where he can be contacted"
Another phone call later led to a breakthrough: One comedy club manager said that Johnny didn't have an agent but provided a contact phone number. Quickly pouncing on that lead, Suzy dialled the number and waited expectantly for someone to pick up the phone at the other end.
"Oh hello, Mr Zest? My name is Suzy Kent and I work for 'Hey, Wow' magazine. Is it possible to set up an interview with you?"
Not long after the phone call, Suzy and Neil found themselves in Oasis Springs standing outside the modest home of Mr Jonathan Landgraab...or Johnny Zest as he was more popularly known.
"How shall we play this?" asked Neil.
"Well...I kind of left it vague that I was more interested in his family background than his comedy career. I'm going to have to weave questions about the former in with the latter so he doesn't clam up on us." Suzy replied.
"What do you want me to do?" said Neil.
"Best bet is to keep his mood light; maybe you should ask some questions about his comedy and I'll ask the personal stuff"
Suzy went up to the front door and knocked on it. "It's open" came the reply from within.
"Mr Zest?" asked Suzy. A young, fair haired man wearing a jacket that would have looked more fitting on a middle aged man rather than a man in his early 20s greeted her warmly. There was something about Johnny Zest that was slightly old fashioned: A high school heartthrob in the mould of James Dean thrown forward a decade in time.
"Have a seat Miss Kent" said Johnny. "Can I get you a drink of something?"
"Coffee would be just fine....and my assistant will be along shortly" replied Suzy.
"Your assistant?" replied a slightly disappointed looking Johnny. "I'll make a pot then"
They all sat down and Suzy got out her notebook. Johnny's home...and enlarged trailer really...was a strange mix of faded gothic, cheap appliances, over elaborate dining chairs around a plywood and Formica counter top. Right in the middle of his living area was a professional standard microphone and mike stand.
"This is an honour and a pleasure being interviewed by Hey, Wow magazine" began Johnny after he'd made the coffee. "Did you catch my recent show?"
"Erm...I didn't. Did you, Neil?" said Suzy, looking for assistance immediately.
"Oh...no, not personally, but a colleague said it was very good. Very amusing he said" Neil stumbled his way to what he hoped was an appropriate response.
"Very amusing...I should put that on my next promo poster" said Johnny. "But audiences have been good lately...I was killing it at the Blue Velvet the other night so watch this space!"
"We have our review team writing a piece about your show but we're here today to find a little more about the man behind the jokes" said Suzy.
"I prefer to focus on my humour" said Johnny.
"What we mean" interjected Neil "is that where do you get your ideas and jokes from?"
"Yes" continued Suzy "what inspires you...was it your upbringing? Your experiences growing up or something more recent?"
"Oh I see...." said Johnny, looking upwards for inspiration. "Well, I've always been a bit of a joker...growing up and especially at school" he said.
Suzy wrote down some notes "and was that appreciated by your teachers...or your parents?" she said, knowingly.
"Used to drive my teachers mad...as for my folks..." Johnny twisted his head slightly in discomfort at some painful memory. "Well....they didn't like it."
There was an awkward silence for a moment...Suzy was unsure of her next question. "And now...are they supportive?" she asked, gingerly.
Johnny put down his coffee cup with some force. "No. Let's move on"
"I'm sorry if I've touched a nerve" said Suzy.
"Well...that's a chapter of my life that's closed. My family and I.....well, like I said, I want to move on" Johnny replied holding up his hands in a gesture of halt.
Neil chimed in again "Is the life of an up and coming comedian making his way in the scene different from what you were used to before? I mean in terms of lifestyle?"
"Do you mean do I like being poor compared to what I had growing up...I see where you two are coming from. You know, don't you?"
Suzy felt embarrassed as she knew they'd been rumbled.
"Well we had done some background research before contacting you, Mr Zest" said Suzy. "And we couldn't help but notice your stage name didn't match your birth certificate. We just thought the son of the wealthiest family in Sim City as a stand up comedian was an angle for the article that was worth looking into"
"Well, I've cut ties with them...or, more accurately, they've cut ties with me." said Johnny. "But I can do without their money and politics"
"How about your brother, does he keep in touch?" asked Suzy.
"Malcolm?" Johnny let out a short laugh of derision. "If there were sparks between me, mom and dad then Malcolm was a tank of gasoline thrown on them. He's a squirt, a suck up and a backstabber...pardon my French. Look, that's all I'm going to say about them...let's stick to the comedy or else we can end the interview here" he said with some finality.
"No, I want to go on" said Suzy. "So tell me about your recent gigs and whether you have plans to showcase your act at the forthcoming Humour and Hijinks festival?"
"I now have a regular spot at the Blue Velvet but the Humour and Hijinks festival, are you kidding me? That's a complete scam!" said Johnny with another laugh of derision.
"It's a scam?" asked an incredulous Suzy. "I've been there a few times and it seemed above board"
"Oh really...tell me, Miss Kent, did you notice the kind of people who show up to it? Can you name any comedians on the bill there?"
"Well the last time I went I met Mortimer Goth and Victor Feng....the time before I met your father and Lily Feng....let's see and I saw Penny Pizazz top the bill" replied Suzy
"So you went and noticed the richest and most powerful people were hanging out there and that the comedy was being provided by a society gossip columnist....hello! Did you not notice how suspicious that all is?" responded Johnny. "There's no real comedians there, there's no actual comedy. It's a cover for the rich and powerful to have a meeting with no press intrusion save for Pizazz who's on their payroll."
There was just stunned silence from Suzy and Neil at this revelation. Johnny expanded the topic to further tell of the truth behind the festival and Suzy scribbled frantically in her pocketbook with all this new information. After a couple of hours they thanked Johnny for giving them the interview and headed off.
"Wow...that was just...." began Suzy.
"You said it....wow" replied Neil. "Nancy Landgraab is one of my patrons! I mean, I had no idea about her work behind the scenes!"
"So...you were saying something about doing something special this evening" said Suzy.
"The Solar Flare...you old romantic you" said Suzy when Neil revealed that he had plans to spend the evening with her at the very desirable and exclusive evening spot in Oasis Springs.
"I'm not really a romantic" Neil replied. "I just make it up as I go along and hope I get things right"
"Well, so far so good" said Suzy, smiling at him.
Neil looked directly into her eyes. "You know, since I've met you I've not known such excitement. Everything we do feels like a rollercoaster ride but in a good way: Take today, for example, I would have had no idea that we'd find out as much as we've done when the day started. The investigations, the journeys we take together....the twists and turns of the plot...I find myself exhilarated being in your company"
"That's sweet of you to say so..." replied Suzy. "Having you there, by my side, having my back means a great deal to me. I really prefer it when you're with me...whether investigating that weird tree back home or finding out about some nefarious plan...I feel safer and more confident with you there....Neil, what are you doing on the floor? Did you lose a contact lens or something?"
Neil was about to speak when a man walked around the two of them, narrowly avoiding treading on his foot. "Suzy..." Neil began to say as he fumbled around in his pockets
"Oh Neil...you're not!" said Suzy, wide eyed in shock.
"Suzy Kent....will you....agh, I've got it!" he said, producing a small box from his pocket.
"Neil!!!!!!" said Suzy, stamping her feet rapidly
Neil opened the box...there was a ring inside of it. "Suzy Kent....will you do me the honour of letting me be that man who has your back, who's by your side and will stand by you whatever the danger, the situation or the adventure for the rest of our lives?"
Suzy took the ring from the box and slipped it on the ring finger of her left hand. "Do I want to marry you?" she said, enchanted by the sparkle in the single diamond that caught the light of the club's spotlight. "Of course! Wow! I do want to marry you, Neil!"
Neil stood up, took Suzy's hand and looked at how the ring looked on her finger. "I'm glad it fits...I secretly measured your finger in the night"
"Wow! We're engaged!" said Suzy. "I mean...I didn't expect this! I'm a trendy fashion reporter...I'm not even 21 but...like you said....we are partners in adventure so marrying you makes perfect sense!"
"I read a book about this sort of thing...you know, how to propose and all that and there's one more tradition to seal the deal" he said and with that he scooped his new fiancé up in his arms.
"Barkeep! Champagne!" shouted Neil.
The two celebrated in style that night and staggered home when it got dark. They went straight to the bedroom where the combination of the wine, the mood and the exhilaration overcame his normally reserved nature. As Suzy was about to unzip herself from her dress he stopped her, turned her around and began to slowly do it for her. The dress fell to the floor and Suzy, in a like minded spirit, faced him to slowly undo his pants...making sure she lightly brushed against what was contained within to make sure he was standing to attention.
"Do you think we should wait until our wedding night?" he said.
"I think that ship has long since sailed" she replied. "It's 1966...we do things differently from our parents now" She took his hand and led him to the bed.
They lay on top of the bed, in their underwear, kissing and stroking each other before they finally shed the last of their clothing and getting under the covers to culminate their love making. Suzy was caught up in the passion: Neil was her man now...and forever.
As the two made love Foundry Cove was still a hive of activity. It was the weekend and the students of the nearby college and high schoolers letting their hair down crossed paths either heading for home or heading to some hot new spot in town. Two attractive and trendy teenagers paused at the entrance of the cul-de-sac. A young man, fair haired, thin and with a haughty expression looked at the home of Suzy and Neil. His companion, a beautiful blonde, brown eyed French girl dressed in the latest European fashions, looked at her companion in confusion.
"Oh Malcolm...why 'ave we stopped 'ere?" she said.
"Because, my Cherie, over there is the home of my nemesis" said the boy.
"You're what? What ees this 'nemesees'?" she asked.
"It means enemy...I have had many, but she is my latest one" replied Malcolm.
"Who ees she?"
"Questions, questions...things you do not need to know about for now. I have seen where she lives, that will satisfy me for now. Like all my past enemies, she will be dealt with in time....now the night is still young and I want to brush up on my French....so to speak"
Malcolm put his arm around his date and together they walked on.
Today was a big day for Barbara Dubois. Not only did she have a double shift at work to do, she had an 11am appointment to see her bank manager about securing a loan to pay for the shop she wanted to set up. By the time she got back from her first, early morning shift her boyfriend Jeremy had himself left for work and next door neighbour, John Action, had come calling around.
"Hey, Babs" he began. "My TV's on the blink and I wanted to watch the football...I got money riding on the game."
"Yeah, sure John" she replied, frantically unlocking the front door and letting the both of them in. "I'm in a bit of a rush...got to get to the bank to see about a loan"
"Oh yeah, for the shop. Good luck with that" he said.
"I'm nervous, John. I mean...what to wear to make a good impression?"
"You want to look stylish, Babs, like you could own the joint. A sharp skirt suit should do the trick"
"Hmmm, I only have one skirt suit" she replied.
"Well, that's sorted then" said Action.
Barbara went to the bedroom to get changed into her smartest outfit, put on some make up and give herself a good pep talk before going downtown to the bank.
"You can do this...you can do this...you can do this..." she repeated in a whisper to her reflection. There was a knock on the bedroom door.
"Hey, it's just Action here....the game's about to start and whoa, dang! Woman! You look mighty fine!" he said as he caught sight of Barbara.
"Do you think so?" she replied.
"I keep telling Jeremy that he's one lucky fella...now you go in there, wow everyone and you seal the deal, woman! Seal the deal!" Action's speech was increasing in fervour as he looked her in the eye. "Now you do with them what I'm doing with you now....you look them square in the eye and you lay out why you need that loan and that you deserve it! Look 'em in the eye, you got that?"
"I think so" she replied, softly.
"Dang, you Canucks are too polite! You walk in there like you own the place! Seal the deal!" said Action one more time.
Barbara repeated "seal the deal" and nodded. She thanked Action and told him to help himself to snacks in the fridge and when the game was over to just shut the door on his way out. Then, taking a deep breath, she headed into town.
The wait in the bank was interminable and she found herself drumming her fingers on her thighs as the clock in the waiting room ticked. She went over what she was going to say in her head over and over, right down to how she was going to say it.
"The manager will see you now" said the secretary. Barbara stood up, brushed down the front of her skirt, and walked into the manager's office.
"Well, Miss Dubois, I've read over your proposal and I must say this is very comprehensive...you have a good eye for detail." said the manager.
"Thank you" she said, gulping nervously.
"You've submitted a full costing of the purchase and repairs to the property plus a quarterly analysis of costs of supply, sales and upkeep. Very good."
"If you have any further questions about how the business would run I have the information" she added.
"I'm sure you have but what you have already provided is detailed enough" the manager said, smiling. "Well I think, despite your youth, you have a sound business head and this looks like a good investment. Loan approved. The full details are here, in this document" he said, pushing a large multi-paged document across the desk to her.
They talked further about the loan and the business account that would be set up but Barbara, despite her joy inside, played it cool in front of the manager. Once outside, however, she couldn't contain her excitement and ran to the subway station...she couldn't wait to get somewhere very important to her heart.
With a skip in her step and a song in her heart she made her way from Newcrest to Magnolia Promenade and the site of her acquisition...or at least her intended acquisition: The boutique! It was still largely a shell at this stage but as she looked in the dusty windows she could imagine the possibilities of what it will look like once finished.
Now it was all possible, she thought. But just having the money wasn't enough, nor was giving the shop a lick of paint....she needed stock: The latest trends, the grooviest threads, the fab gear. Something that the young, hip and in touch with the Now Generation could afford. She wanted to make her place not so much a shop but a focal point for young people like her.
She took one last long look at the shop...soon to be HER shop...before heading home. When she got there, Action had left but Jeremy was there and still in his business suit.
"Oh darling!" she said smiling from ear to ear and throwing her arms around him "I got the loan!"
"That's wonderful news, Sweetie!" said Jeremy. "Let's open a bottle of wine and celebrate!"
"I wish I could right now but I've got my work shift in an hour and I have to get changed out of my suit" said Barbara.
After she had changed she joined Jeremy again for a light meal and to update him on her meeting at the bank.
"So they've agreed to what I asked for and they really liked the business plan! Thanks to your friend Farquhar..."
"Fanshawe" said Jeremy, correcting her.
"Fanshawe....and of course you my sweet! You were with me every step and you hammered that business plan into shape. The bank manager was very impressed"
"I'm in this together with you" said Jeremy, reaching out to hold her hand.
"We'll celebrate tomorrow evening" said Barbara, kissing Jeremy on the cheek before she headed off for her evening shift...maybe her last one? Jeremy sighed with relief and changed out of his business suit...at a loose end he went to visit Action next door.
"Hey Action" he said, after being greeted.
"Yo, Jeremy...has Barbara told you the news about her meeting?" replied Action.
"She said it was a success! She's going to get the shop"
"Slam dunk it my girl!" said Action.
"I heard you gave her a pep talk this morning" said Jeremy.
"Man, she was so uptight this morning...I just gave her a bit of the old Marine drill instructor routine. Suck in that gut, put your shoulders back, imagine your enemy's face on that sack as you send the bayonet home..."
"I hope you didn't tell her to drive a bayonet into the bank manager!" said a shocked Jeremy.
"Relax man...I'm speaking metaphorically. But she clinched it, that's the main thing...fancy a beer and watching 'The Fugitive'?"
"Yeah, why not. I'm a sucker for that show." said Jeremy.
"Here's to Babs!" said Action, raising his beer bottle in salute.
