Stella Soars and Deflates

Pavin will be calling Mrs James now saying although the Job Search Agency talked him into allowing them to find someone with a partial legal qualification you will become his PA if you have the barest mechanical essentials."

"Me, Pavin's PA?"

"Yes, Stella and I'm surprised I've surprised you. I saw it coming a mile away."

After Mrs James invited Shirley to sit in on the assessment for a second option, Shirley called her department head and said she would be away for an hour attending to the possible induction of a new PA for the boss.

An hour later. Stella waited outside while Mrs James and Shirley looked at the score sheets.

Apart from formal education rated as 'woeful', business experience as 'virtually non-existent' and knowledge of law 'non-existent' Stella had performed 'above average' in the preliminary interview and 'outstanding' in her responses to the 'what if' scenarios and in responding with actions and reactions to the computer test of an experienced PA's exceptionally busy day at the office and socially when accompanying her principal at a convention.

They boggled, however, at a written response to the question about reaction to an indecent proposal by her principal when away at a conference: "I would comply but would ask for time to shower and change my underwear and buy condoms."

"There is no way this candidate can be only eighteen," Mrs James said.

"We are looking at a big pass on the basis of minimum qualifications, aren't we?" Shirley said.

"Yes."

"Well call Stella in and if she accepts, I'll call Pavin with the news to save you that embarrassment. She's going to be good, I'd say exceptionally good, Mrs James; I feel it in my waters."

After securing her job, Stella walked through the CBD and outside City Hall saw a big notice of a community meeting called by Miss Pamela Brown, assistant district attorney, to discuss a name change for the City of Michelle.

"The stupid bitch," Stella fumed.

A woman walking by stopped and said, "Excuse me, are you serious about that comment?"

"Yes."

"I'm Janis White and am just heading off to lunch. May I invite you to join me. I'm a reporter on the Clarion."

"Oh yes, I'd like that. I would be lovely to talk to a local. I take it you don't want a name change."

"As a reporter I'm supposed to be neutral."

"You mean appear neutral?"

Janis smiled and said yes.

They had lunch and Janis was impressed sufficiently to call a photographer.

* * *

Janis arrived back in the newsroom when the editor/publisher Dick Payne was moaning, "We don't have a lead story for the morning. Janis, how is it you have time for lunch when we don't?"

"Don't be such a grouch Dick. I go to lunch to get your lead stories."

There was laughter because Janis had been on the newspaper for almost two years and frequently wrote stories that made front page but never had she written the lead.

"Does Harry Brown still get up your ass, Dick?"

Everyone near enough in the big newsroom roared with laughter at that lewd comment. Harry Brown had defeated Dick at two elections for the mayoralty. Dick had subsequently refused to attack his rival in print unless absolutely warranted and the opportunities to do that had been few.

"This is a kick-ass story about the mayor's daughter's making the 33rd bid in the town's history, to force a name change."

Dick was suddenly interested.

"You mean this is my opportunity to print something to discredit the mayor by exposing his unpatriotic daughter?"

"Yes, this is a critic who pulls no punches because she has no idea of just how vitriolic our mayor and daughter can be."

Dick rubbed his hands. "Verbalize a summary darling."

* * *

The unsuspecting Stella walked into the offices of Benson Law next morning unaware that none of the employees had known about the new appointment until reading the newspaper that morning.

The three receptionists, gathered in group and reading the front page of the Clarion, looked up as Stella approached, mouths hanging open.

"Good morning ladies, I'm..."

"Stella Rauth," the two women and the junior receptionist said almost in unison.

"Oh, what excellent communication. So, the boss has told you?"

"No," they chorused.

"Well, how...?"

The receptionists scattered to their seats and instantly looked busy. Stella turned and say the slim Pavin Benson standing, looking at her, presumably having been staring at her ass. He was holding the newspaper out in front of him. Stella stepped closer to see it properly. "Good gracious, they put that stuff I said on the front page."

She read the headline 'Newcomer Calls City Name-Change Advocate Unpatriotic'. She protested, "That's a lie, I said disloyal."

"Much the same thing to a newspaper," Pavin said, as employees arriving almost late tip-toed around them.

"Good story, huh?"

Pavin said ominously, "I appear in court today at 10:00 to defend my father on a charge of breaching bylaws by harboring a rooster within city limits. Now thanks to you, undoubtedly there will be a switch of prosecutor with assistant District Attorney Pamela Brown handling action on this misdemeanor herself. There goes my chance of over-powering the prosecution and impressing the judge with my eloquence and knowledge of law."

"Then take the alternative?"

"What alternative?"

"Call your father now, tell him to dispatch the rooster to the roast pan, taking its head to the courtroom as evidence. You tell the judge your father wishes to apologize for the breach, his poor eyesight mistaking the rooster for a hen and he'll not repeat that error again and calls upon the court to exhibit humility."

"You mean indulgence."

"No, that's suggesting something possibly underhand. Oh, I know, it's compassion. I take it your father has no criminal record."

"He's absolutely clean."

"Well that's something in our favor. You will need to warn your father to toe the line as if he was a common criminal."

Pavin shook his head in disbelief. He went to his office, followed by Sella, and made the call.

"Dad, chop Charlie's head off now and bring the head to court as material evidence. I'm ordering you, as your attorney, to be apologetic and contrite in court and do exactly what I say. You are to say you apologize for your misdemeanor, we do not claim it to be a slight or frivolous misdemeanor, and you apologize and asked for the court's compassion in light of your absolutely clean record."

"Oh, and you have been complaining of your poor eyesight recently. Oh good, rather bad at present you say? Well tell that to the judge and remember you are a scurrilous defendant, not an attorney on attack. Why? Because I say so."

Pavin grabbed Stella's arm and kissed he cheek and said, "Bravo."

"Excuse me to talking that liberty. Providing dad cooperates and assists me to grovel, thanks to you we may just get away with this ruse."

"It's so pathetic that neither the judge nor Miss Brown will see it as anything but contrite behavior. You best come to court with me. You'll have to sit behind me, not with me."

"Why, my place is beside you."

"Then get a law degree and qualify to sit with me in court."

Stella sniffed. "No thank you; one seat back is more acceptable than going through all that grind. I allow others to do the grind. Will you sleep with me?"

Pavin sighed and gave an un-lawyer like answer. "I have to admit I've thought about it. If it weren't for the age differential..."

"Stuff the age differential. You are capable of doing it, aren't you?"

"Yes," Pavin said. "I'm only forty-three."

"Well then decide to do it. I find myself quite taken by you. When you have shot your load, you can lick my red shoes that I'll keep on for you."

"Oh god, Pavin sighed. 'Only fucking eighteen."

"And I'm quite good despite my age, or so I've been told," Stella giggled.

Chapter 3

Outside the court, Pavin introduced Stella as his new PA.

The crusty attorney growled at his son, "Don't touch her unless she can prove she's of legal age."

"Hello Mr Benson. May I kiss you?"

"Yeah, why not, no one else does."

"If you presented yourself better shaven and less grumpy, perhaps that could change?"

Mr Benson senior roared with laughter and said, "Boy, you may have found yourself a gold nugget with this one."

A dark, pretty woman with searching green eyes looked at Stella and said, "God, it's true. You are only eighteen."

"Yes Miss Brown."

"You know me?"

"No but I could tell by the aura surrounding you that you were Assistant District Attorney Miss Pamela Brown."

"Amazing. Good morning Mr Benson, Pavin."

"Good morning Pamela," chorused father and son.

The judge entered the courtroom and looked impassively at Miss Brown and smiled at Mr Benson. Stella leaned forward and tapped Pavin on the shoulder. He turned looking a little irritated. "What?"

"Judge Sanford is pro-Michelle. She looked impassively at Pamela and smiled at you."

He whispered tersely, "How can you work that out?"

"I know women."

He sighed.

The action ended after the display of the rooster's head in a sealed plastic bag and the defendant apologized to the court unreservedly. At the judge's invitation the city then withdrew its complaint against Charles Wilmot Benson.

Pamela intercepted Stella outside the courtroom. "Excuse me Miss Rauth, a quiet word."

"Yes certainly."

"I take it you organized that defense?"

"Yes, I did have a suggestion or two."

"I knew it. No attorney would stoop so low."

"The punishment fits the crime, don't you think Miss Brown? Mr Benson will now wear his glasses more and he is without his new pal Charlie? Further, he has been suitably chastised."

"I guess so. I can't believe a slip of a women aged twenty..."

"Eighteen."

"... aged eighteen can act with some much aplomb. May I issue you with a challenge?"

"Yes."

"Omigod, you are so fearless. I'd like to spice up Friday night's meeting. Will you debate the issue on stage with me for the first thirty minutes?"

"Yes, and then I'd like to leave rather than listen to tedious debate before the question is put and lost."

"And lost? What because of your belief in your debating skills?"

"No, not at all. It will be simply a result of a majority body of sensible citizens aware that the name Michelle has survived since it was so named in 1853 and so deserves to survive the 34th attack on its right to have its name retained."

"You didn't state that so adamantly in your newspaper interview?"

"Miss Brown, although I'm only eighteen I'm aware that people generally do not like to feel manipulated so all I have done is to attempt, largely out of ignorance, to state the case against change. I am entitled to an opinion although I lack an understanding of the history of Michelle."

"In my first morning here. I awoke in the sunrise bathed over my bed and looked over part of the city, bathed in a golden glow and felt I like this place called Michelle. My next thought was how could a name like that for a town, and now a city, have survived? The thought intrigued me and I said that in the interview published in the local newspaper."

"You are an interesting person Miss Rauth. Until our debate at 7:30 on Friday then."

As Pamela walked away Pavin came over. "What was that about?"

"Miss Brown wants me to debate the name change issue with her at the start of the meeting."

"Well, that will give Pamela the ammunition she needs to discredit you. It's likely she'll attract a couple of hundred people to the meeting. The motion calling on the council to hold a referendum on changing the name to Brackenville after the name of our River Bracken, and my guess it will be carried. I imagine you agreed to the debate?"

"Yes."

"Well come, dad wants to host us at an early celebratory lunch."

"I think I should be at work, but okay."

"You have already earned more than a day's equivalent of your salary today, thank you."

The wine flowed and near the end Charles said, "My dear, how can I reward you?"

"You'll be known at the State Capital, I daresay?"

"Indeed."

"Take me to the State Library on Thursday to do some research."

"Can you get time off, it's four hours' drive away plus research time."

"Yes, your son will give me that time off, I need to research for Friday's debate."

"Oh yes, anything to shove a spike into Pamela's ego and he'll back that to the hilt."

Charles asked what did she expected to find? Stella replied how Michelle got its name.

"The reason is unknown. The German founder Albert Berlitz always refused to explain."

"I believe it is worth going. I have a feeling in my waters."

Charles chortled and said his mother used to say that. "I haven't heard it in years. Yes, I'll take you and spend the day with you. I probably know the chief librarian and I'll pay all expenses. Today you saved me from getting a blemish on my personal record."

Pavin took Stella to dinner that evening and on the drive to her rooming house asked, "Would you like to spend the night with me."

"Yes, that would be lovely."

"I'm forty-three, 25 years your senior, and therefore not in your generation?"

"So?"

* * *

On Thursday Stella was in despair after searching archives any finding nothing pointing to the naming of Michelle by Albert Berlitz in 1853. She groaned in anguish; Charles hugged her and stroked her cheek.

"You talked about that feeling in your waters," he said softly. "Concentrate but let your mind drift. There will be something here if your feeling is correct. Try to let your mind take you there."

The soft stroking of her cheek sent Stella adrift. She felt almost asleep when the thought mushroomed into her mind. She jerked out of Charles' arms; he was almost asleep.

"What?"

"The shipping passenger lists. I know the name of the ship that Albert arrived on after sailing from Germany."

Almost an hour later Stella pointed and punched the air with her fist in triumph. Charles, wearing his glasses read the notation and cried, "Omigod."

* * *

They arrived home very tired. Charles dropped Stella off and she called Pavin, awakening him.

"Oh hi, was it worthwhile?"

"Yes, but you'll have to come to the meeting on Friday to find out."

"Oh, I like mysteries but unfortunately for you here comes my father and he's putty in my hands."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah. Sorry babe."

Next morning Stella arrived late and the three receptionists greeted her warmly, finding her personality so engaging that it was almost infectious.

The junior receptionist whispered to Stella how could she speak so authoritatively and appear so confident as if she were a top VIP and yet was so young. Stella replied it was because she'd cast off the yoke of being somewhat restricted for the last few years of being a teenager living at the family home and now, she felt free and believed she had the power to perform well as a freed individual.

Stella asked, "Could one of you take me around to introduce me to other personnel? There just hasn't been time to do that until now but I better say hi to the boss first."

She left the women scrapping about who should take her around the offices.

Pavin kissed Stella and then went on to his knees and kissed yet another paid of red shoes he'd not seen before. He'd learned Stella had one pair of black shoes and all others were red. He was licking her stocking tops when there was a knock on the door.

"Sorry."

"It's okay. Business is business."

"Come in."

The head of divorce and estate planning entered.

Stella went off to be introduced to all personnel.

Shirley greeted them when they reached the finance department.

"Sorry I had to change having you for dinner on Monday. Saturday suits Pat best."

"Yes, that's fine with me. May I bring a partner?"

"Yes, so soon? You are quick to couple."

Stella whispered in Shirley's ear, "It will be Pavin" and Shirley almost fell out of her chair.

"Is that okay?"

Shirley nodded dumbly.

Back in her office, Stella called Janis.

"Are you going to the name change meeting tomorrow night?"

"Yes, and we are running a piece in the morning from Pamela Brown announcing she will open the meeting debating the name change with you."

"Yes, that's correct."

"She says she can't imagine an upstart like you not attempting to swing the debate your way."

"Oh, isn't she kind. Janis, can I tell you something very, very confidential."

"Oh god, you've got something haven't you."

"Janis, just tell your editor to hold the front page for Saturday."

"Right, I'll do that. But why?"

"Please Janis, not a word to anyone, promise?"

"Yes, yes. What is it?"

"I have conclusive proof how Michelle got its name?"

"But that's impossible."

"I said conclusive proof Janis, now keep that lip buttoned."

Charles and Pavin accompanied Stella to the meeting. A hundred or more people, Pavin had expected to probably attend.

That figure was a little amiss.

The hall sat 600 and when it filled, people were being turned away with police called to help quell disturbances. The problem was solved when extension speakers were installed in the council's cafeteria and soon there was standing room only in there.

Janis greeted Stella in the lobby.

Stella asked, "Why are so many people here."

"Pamela is a very popular person in this city. People believe in her and when she says she's expecting you to swing the debate your way. They will be curious how you can achieve that when she is such a formidable debater. Good luck my friend."

Encouraged, Stella kissed the surprised Janis.

Mayor Brown opened the meeting and after welcoming everyone introduced his daughter to considerable acclamation. Pamela was wearing a red cocktail dress and black shoes. She took her place behind her rostrum and Mayor Brown then called Stella to the stage.

The call was greeted with just a few handclaps. Stella was wearing a black sequined cocktail dress and stunning red shoes. She half curtsied to the mayor and went over and offered Pamela a handshake but Pamela darted around and they kissed.

One they were behind their rostrum's the mayor shook his head and said, "I have difficulty understanding this. Here we are with Pamela Brown, one of the most successful assistant District Attorneys this city has ever had who is thirty-eight and who has lived all her life in this city, being challenged in debate by a girl, aged eighteen, who arrived in this city for the first-time last Sunday. But Pamela my daughter said, 'You'll not be disappointed dad, she's incredible'. So, let it rip you two. I shall adjudicate and stop you if either of you rambles."

The debate began slowly and as it worked up a head of steam people that stopped shuffling and yawning and followed in disbelief as the upstart proved to be a worthy combatant.

"So, Miss Brown, what makes you think you can successfully campaign for a name change when thirty-three previous attempts failed?"

"Well Stella, it's like this. Those previous campaigns failed because of the lack of conviction by the chief campaigner. I have a working committee of thirty-one influential professional and business and community leaders behind me. We are so organized and no one had opposed us until you popped up. Be prepared to be steamrolled, baby."

"Oh yeah, I believe the last attempt was the penultimate challenge, not for name change but in terms of failed challenges. This is the final challenge Miss Brown, sorry. Yet another failure."

Pamela smiled sweetly. "Oh darling, you look cute and are good with words but this is an adult world and my backers have the ultimate say. They believe there is no justification in this city being called Michelle and that concludes this debate I'm afraid. Nevertheless, you were a worthy opponent.