The crew filmed her working in her office, eating lunch alone in a café, standing on the steps of city hotel and in her bedroom at night at 11:11 when despite Augustine's warning most of the crew looked scared and ready to flee. The crew packed up and left but Christopher stayed behind to comfort Augustine and that made her wonder that perhaps the young director was redefining his sexuality. He'd chosen a lovely way of doing it.
The crew's PR woman Josephine Black checked the local TV station and was able to purchase rights to use its clips of Mayor Rogers presiding at his council meeting and standing in among some of his hundreds of acres of lettuce, picking spinach and lording over stacks of boxed broccoli. Josephine was feted by the film production team on the flight back to New York when she revealed she'd also purchased screening rights to a nighttime clip of market gardener tycoon Mayor Rogers watching containers of lettuce being loaded at the airport on to a Sky Haul jet.
A romance was developing between sweet Augustine and earnest Dick. He began calling on her more but not necessarily for sex. For instance he'd arrived with two copies of a Sunday Newspaper and they'd have coffee and read out to each other little bits of text that appealed to them and then they'd have lunch, usually in the garden under the shade shelter and early afternoon he'd go off to work on The Echo and Augustine would clear away and sort out her clothes for the next week, nothing more than kisses having passed between them. Occasionally Dick would drive them 180 miles east to Phoenix for a show and return that night or they'd go over and stay at a resort spa and fuck like rattlesnakes.
One afternoon Dick arrived with Alice to take photos of Augustine at work at her office, in her garden and on the steps of City Hall. Initially Alice was very uptight.
"Oh god, Dick has told me about you but he didn't tell me you were so beautiful."
Augustine gave no sign of being caught in a predicament. She just smiled sweetly and purred, "Oh darling, who is so out of touch these days to be bothered about men."
Alice's eyes widened and she smiled at Augustine and from them on treated Augustine with real warmth. Dick was there and had witnessed their encounter and its sudden uplifting change, all managed by Augustine by saying just a few words. He was used to hearing men say they had difficulty understanding women and Dick had never been quite sure about that. But right now he was as confused as any male attempting to understand women. An hour or so later he clicked: Oh no, cunning Augustine had put Alice's claws back in place by suggesting Augustine was a lesbian. What a sly bitch!
After a restaurant dinner they returned from the airport after photographing Augustine at the security fence watching Flight 109 arriving. At 11:11 Alice photographed Augustine's alarmed eyes in bed as the aircraft roared overhead on the flight out.
"You have lovely breasts," Alice murmured, looking down at the exposed torso.
Augustine masterfully completed her deception. "Why don't you send Dick off alone darling and stay?"
"Dick," Alice yelped. "We've finished here. Let's go!"
Meanwhile Echo publisher-editor Stan Morris had sent a confidential memo to newspaper editors all over America on their communications network about the upcoming story about a beautiful and angry young attorney from Lode, Arizona, going on a one-person mission to New York to take on Big Business. The attached graphic of Miss Love, stuffed into a little black dress and looking as if she should be going to Hollywood rather than New York make newspaper news editors lick their lips. The story was a contradiction to the murders, mayhem, fatal accidents and cheating politicians and business people all doing their best, at home and abroad, to wreck the good life. In their hundreds editor's subscribed to take up the story with the overly long but intriguing title, 'Miss Love Goes to New York to Get Her Sleep Back'.
The syndication began in newspapers the day prior to the big event. The 'teaser' written by Dick with Alice's sexy photograph of Augustine in her little black dress. 'This is Augustine Love. Isn't she pretty? But keep out of her way. Tomorrow she goes to New York to rip into Big Business. Miss Love is a feisty attorney and says she intends taking no prisoners. What does this mean? Read all about it in this newspaper tomorrow. We promise you won't be disappointed in this great little story that will make readers, with emotion in their heart and belief in the little guys of this world, cry Good on you Miss Love.'
Mayor Rogers riding in his limo to City hall read that 'teaser'. He called his head of security and instructed him to find out what it's about.
Ralph called back later and said no one knew where Miss Love was and The Echo editor had told him to get fucked.
Mayor Rogers shrugged and said to the caller, "We can't afford to waste time on little people Ralph. Return to your investigation to find if any of the irrigation companies are rorting prices."
CHAPTER 2
Augustine was already in New York, staying with Elizabeth and family in their apartment. Her eldest, Carole, a 15-year old, brought in a troupe of friends to 'meet this amazing women from Arizona who's responsible for bringing my mother at last into wearing fashion clothing of the 21st Century'.
Carole reminded Augustine how she was at fifteen and the two got along very well. But Timmy, oh so shy Timmy.
"What do you think of our children?" Elizabeth asked over after-dinner coffee with Gary.
Gary appeared disinterested until Augustine said, "You should know me by now darling. Ask me anything and you get it, both barrels."
Elizabeth was defiant. "What do you think of our children?"
"Carole is a darkling, with the firepower to develop passion and already she knows firmly who she is and what she's about. You two will have a torrid time with her, I'll bet on that happening. Your only hope is to maintain her respect so she allows herself to be reined in. Then one day she'll find her special guy and lo, you will have a swan gliding around you and being just the perfect young woman you hoped you were destined to have."
"Augustine, you should be writing books for weepy women."
"My female characters would fuck themselves legless Gary."
Poor Gary was not sure where to look so chose the ceiling.
"I tried to warn you Gary," Elizabeth laughed, putting an arm around him.
"With Timmy you have a problem. He's twelve and will be beginning to go through a difficult period until he toughens up."
"We're worried," Gary said, with enough courage back to look at Augustine again.
"Christ, don't worry about it. That makes matters worse. Do something, work at it."
"Like what?"
"Oh Elizabeth, you won't want to hear this."
"Please proceed," the hostess gritted.
"Well the first thing is you sit down with him. Call it having a family conference which means Carole is there, adding her bit."
Elizabeth's voice quavered. "We already have conferences called that to discuss dishes and hovering schedules, answering the phone properly and trying to get better grades at school."
"Oh, then you better call it A Defining Moment in the Life of Tim."
"Timmy."
"No Tim. For fuck sake Elizabeth, the young boy is twelve about to slip into the teenager years. You sit him down at that conference, get him settled and then give him the news."
"Oh we couldn't do that," Elizabeth cried. "He's always been my Timmy."
There heard someone enter the kitchen and the cookie jar being opened.
"Timmy?"
"Yes dad?"
"Come in here with your cookie. Miss Love wants to ask you something."
"No," squeaked Elizabeth.
"Okay, I won't do it."
"Please do it," Elizabeth squeaked again.
"Yes Miss Love?"
"Timmy, if you could chose any name in the world what name would you choose for yourself?"
"Kirk, after Captain Kirk. I've been watching reruns of Star Trek."
"What a lovely name. What is your choice of worst name?"
"Boris – he's the school bully."
"What about Timmy?"
"Yeah, that too."
"What about Tim."
"That's all right. Some of the teachers are beginning to call me Tim and some of the girls."
"Would you like to be called Tim?"
"Yeah, can I go now?"
"Very well, but before you go do you wish to ask mom and dad if they will call you Tim from now on?"
"Yeah."
"I'll call you Tim," Elizabeth said, dabbing at her eyes.
"Yeah me too," said his father. "Tim sounds lean and mean."
Elizabeth sobbed and said she'd tell Carole about the name change.
"Don't bother. She's been calling me Tim for the last couple of years unless you guys are around. Can I go now?"
"Yes Tim," said his father, sighing.
After Tim went to bed Elizabeth called Carole to join them in the TV room.
"What you are about to see Gary and Carole is hush-hush until you see it on TV tomorrow night. It's about Augustine. She hasn't seen it either. Pour the champagne Gary – Carole may have half a glass. Head of production believes this will win us a national award even if Augustine fails in her mission because it's a story about the little guy taking on big business, although in this case it's a woman. We do the last of the filming tomorrow and after the screening tomorrow night at 7:00, at 7:30 Miss Love, Christopher the director and me will be interviewed by Diana Parrington for fifteen minutes. The story will be told in some detail in the Daily News tomorrow morning but without the outcome as that won't happen until between 10:00 and noon."
"Oh mom, this is so exciting. May I sit beside you Miss Love?"
"Yes my beautiful friend and why don't you call me Augustine. You mom won't mind because she knows if she objects I'll thump her."
"Do you object mom?"
"No dear, it appears Augustine is running the show."
"Oh look at you in your garden," Carole cried. "It looks straight out of an old-time story book but at the opening in your little black dress you look like a best dressed woman from here in Manhattan."
"I think that's so true darling. And what do you think your mother and her team are attempting to do?"
"Display you as a complete character to show you are just not a bunny."
"Carole."
"No Elizabeth, it's fine. That is a very perceptive observation Carole. Now what should they do?"
"Build the story, getting to its heart, captivating what it's all about before the audience drifts."
"Do you take drama?"
"Yes."
"Ooh, here we go," cried Augustine as the big jet near midnight thundered over her house, shaking the camera. Augustine was shown lifting up, a sheet partly over her, and a free hand across her exposed breast. Her eyes looked huge and then her beautiful face curled into a scowl."
"Is that drama or is it what," Carole screamed. "Beautifully done mom."
Augustine marveled at the way in which shots of her working at the office, standing on the steps of City Hall, Mayor Rogers working at his desk and then shots of him on his farm and then finally the shot of Flight 109 coming into land and then loading of containers were woven in under the Elizabeth's narration. Many years ago Elizabeth as a young journalist had narrated news clips on TV and had decided to do this one herself.
The screen showed sunrise over the Arizona desert. Elizabeth comment stated, "In a few minutes we begin a new day as the determined Augustine Love catches her flight to go to New York to battle Big Business. By big business we mean Sky Haul Airlines, the company that sends Flight 109 over several hundred houses at 11:11 24/7, scaring inhabitants from their sleep."
"Well that's all for now," Elizabeth said. "We pre-filmed tomorrow's arrival so that will be added tomorrow along with tomorrow's filming of Augustine supposedly arriving at JFK early morning from Chicago where her parents live. She'll have a lonely breakfast in a hotel opposite when the airline's annual meeting will be held. The airline people will be furious when Augustine identifies herself and someone then realizes she is the folk hero they read about in that morning's newspapers. Attempts will be made to clear our cameras from the event, but they our three attorneys will step forth and oppose that illegal attempt to rescind our contract. When Augustine is told she will be prohibited from speaking our attorneys will dispute the airline's right to invoke such restraint and will cite the freedom of speech as protected by the First Amendment. We believe we have everything covered."
"I hope you will inform airline officials that if they reach an immediate solution with a compromise over flight times it will receive a big tick from huge public reaction."
Elizabeth looked at Carole, mouth open in astonishment.
Augustine, hugging the 15-year old, "I told you Carole is very much like me at her age Elizabeth. I had a habit of saying things like that."
* * *
Next morning it was High Noon at the meeting venue. Actually it was 9:30. Meeting officials when they saw a mobile film crew with a young blonde woman and when she gave her name as Miss Augustine Love, holder of 100 stock units, all hell broke loose, filmed of course.
Security was alerted. A beefy woman attempted to grab Augustine by the arm but Augustine said, "Back off bitch. I'm not acting in a disorderly manner and am here legally. Stand off and await your orders."
The chief organizer called up the airlines attorneys and the dozen of so people bent over in a huddle. The chief organizer popped up and shouted, "Everyone back to work; this small emergency is over. Welcome to our annual meeting Miss Love. You will be entitled to attend and to be filmed, but you cannot speak. Oh crap."
He was pulled back into a huddle.
"Miss Love. We are prohibited from preventing your from speaking under our Standing Orders... er Rules of Conduct of our Meeting. Please proceed inside with members of your film crew with ID and their attorneys."
Christopher had already reserved a seat where he wanted Augustine positioned. He kissed her politely and she took her seat. The film crew tested cameras and sound.
Precisely at 10:00 the chairman of the airline took his seat and called the meeting to order.
Smiling Edgar Heath said, "This is the first time in the history of this airline we have had television cameras at our annual meeting. News about our wonderful performance for the year must have leaked. Welcome everyone. Please be aware your movements and other behavior are under my control as chairman of the meeting. A special welcome to our major stockholders and to you Miss Love. We were unaware we were considered Big Business but are flattered by the appellation."
The business of the meeting was completed efficiently and reached General Business in fourteen minutes.
"Because of this wonderful publicity – or at least I hope it is – I invite Miss Love to speak only on a matter or matters that relate to the business of this airline.
Augustine stood and said, "Thank you Mr Chairman." She then nodded to Christopher and he pressed a button and most people in the auditorium ducked as a huge jet appeared to be flying just over their heads.
"Mr Chairman, that is the noise approximately people in 330 homes in my neighborhood in the city of Lode, Arizona, awake to at 11:11 24/7. This noise is intolerable and unnecessary. That Sky Haul aircraft is loaded with lettuce and other leaf vegetables from Lode County, a very important element of our region's economy and freighting it out to the markets of America must continue. But not at 11:11. Up to 8:00 pm yes. But flight 109 at 11:11 must stop. I trust Mr Chairman you see reason and will act immediately to remedy this intolerable night nuisance. If you fail to act I shall proceed against you and your airline, taking you all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary. Thank you for listening to me. Your brain must be spinning by now. I had to purchase stock for the right to attend this meeting but feel incline to keep them, what with the results you are about to announce. Thank you."
Booming applause followed as Augustine sat down.
"I am sure we can look at this and consider if we can do something about it Miss Love. Thank you for your question.
"Point of order Mr Chairman."
"Oh, Mr Hercules Humphries, representing our largest stockholder. You have the floor Mr Humphries."
"Edgar, I admire the guts of this young woman and by the look of the campaign she begun running this morning my feeling she already has you tied and branded. If Flight 109 flew over my house at 11:11 I'd dash out and throw my cowboy boot at it. Miss Love, I feel, is no bunny. She'll have this airline stopped in its tracks if necessary. She's not asking much – just a touch of rescheduling. We can do it and you know that. Edgar, she's indicated she expects an immediate reply. As chairman your first duty is to shareholders over clients and we know from reading this morning's Daily News that Miss Love got the bum's rush from the client when she went through proper channels to have him deal with it. Deal with it now Edgar – you have your senior executives up there with you. Think of the enormous havoc Miss Love will bring down on this airline if you brush her aside. Think of the kudos this airline will receive in helping a community suffering broken sleep. Thank you."
The assembly clapped, cheered and stamped their feet on the wood floor as Mr Humphries finish and Edgar turned to the company president and his top aides. The chairman announced the company president was calling the client and executives were on their laptops looking at airline scheduling. Everyone was mindful the airline made its money by having airplanes in the air, not sitting on the ground.
He continued with the meeting, announced directors have approved the recommended dividend and he announced the directors had deciding to made a one-off bonus payment of 24c for each stock unit held. The meeting gave the chairman and directors a thunderous standing ovation.
Company president Olsen Halliburton then took the rostrum.
"Ladies and gentlemen and especially you Miss Love, it is my pleasure to announce that we have successfully negotiated with the client and airport authorities and examined route schedules and we can fill the available 6:50 evening slot with a partial routing interchange between two of our leaf vegetable flights. The pickup of produce at Lode will from this Saturday switch permanently to 6:50 takeoff. Thank you."
The cheering stopped when Augustine rose to speak.
"Yes Miss Love, you have the floor."
"Thank you for heading a good-hearted team at Sky Haul Airlines Mr Chairman. I thank the people who got behind me to give me firepower. I wanted our mayor, a major local grower, to yield on this one but he turned pigheaded. I came to your lovely city of New York, fearful I'd become halfway towards being an old woman before winning this one but amazingly, good sense and goodwill prevailed here today and we all go home happy."
Drinks and a light lunch followed at which Augustine turned down the chairman's offer to head either the company's PR and marketing team or the new business team.
"No thanks Mr Heath. I have my clients back home to look after. They are loyal to me and I must remain loyal to them. They come to me because I tell them what they must do and they know I won't accept compromises. With me they get solutions that stick. Who else is going to do that for them?"
"You are a fine young woman Miss Love. I have been through the business mill for years and cannot recall ever seeing an individual achieve what you achieved today."
Augustine stepped up and kissed him.
"Aw hec, if my wife sees that on TV tonight I'm history."
"Just get her to call me Mr Heath. I'll explain."
"You tell her Augustine. She's standing right behind you," laughed the chairman.
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