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Child of the Theater

By: Egmont0409



INTRODUCTION

The assistant director called "Next" and a six-foot-three slender guy with dark-eyes and dark hair slicked back was pushed on-stage and the assistant director sighed and patted her pussy and whispered, "Down girl."

"Name?"

"Eugene Ejack."

Those around her laughed but Pauline kept a straight face never knowing when and where a union spy was hovering with a desire to close down the theatre while an investigation into alleged abuse of the civil rights of a minority race person was conducted. Five minutes of negotiation with a check for $5000 could of course end the matter, but not always. Sometimes the union wanted to flex its muscle in court.

"Occupation?"

"Unemployed aspiring actor."

"Age?"

"Thirty-two."

"Address?"

"Currently Ball Park under the grandstand."

"Previous experience?"

"None but I'm here ma'am for experience."

"Thelma, give him something to read."

The guy pushed away the microphone and in a deep, rich voice read the first eight verses of the 'Rime of the Ancient Mariner'. It was brilliant and people passing had stopped to listen.

"There's your guy for the part of the orator," said Thelma, a veteran of the stage and Pauline's unpaid assistant.

The guy got the part, as this was only small city theater. He had no money so Pauline took him to her 'apartment' and gave him soup and some bread. She decided he could stay the night and never in her life had she been shafted so well. He virtually had her hair standing on end, pubic hair that is.

He stayed and the show ran for thirteen weeks by which time she was pregnant and then during the melee after final curtain call on that final night Eugene disappeared, never to be seen again by Pauline.

The baby was a beautiful girl, conveniently arriving in August when the theater was closed for three months over summer. Pauline's friends gathered round and she came through her ordeal very well of being an unmarried mother, the legacy of an absconded lover. Pauline Jarosinski decided not to lumber her daughter with her surname so drew of up list of twenty-five names she preferred and asked her friends to vote for a name. Her second favorite was voted most popular and so the baby was named Augustine Jack in memory of the absconded father and incorporating the month of her birth.

CHAPTER 1

By the time Augustine Jack turned four her mom Pauline Jarosinski had become principle director of the Palladium Theater in Ashburton City, Pennsylvania. Pauline had been a child actor and had acted professionally until retiring when she was almost thirty to switch to theater production. Mother and daughter lived in a loft above the theatre store and it was inevitable that Pauline would want her daughter to find her love for theater.

It wasn't difficult to foster. Augustine had the run of the theater including all ancillary services rooms and the pretty and gentle-natured child was much loved. By the time Augustine began school she'd already appeared on stage in five productions, small parts of course. At the age of seven she won her first minor role and on it went from there and she began receiving drama training.

Alas when Augustine was 16½ Pauline died of complications triggered by influenza, seven days after becoming ill. A messy legal situation hung over the child who was taken in by Pauline's assistant Lisa Cobb, who had been made acting-principal director, and that seemed to satisfy the authorities because no further concern about the child's legal status followed. 

Pauline's attorney Rick Reid read the will to Augustine and Lisa her unofficial guardian. That revealed Augustine was the sole beneficiary which wasn't much by way of real property and available money but the value of investments came to just over $40,000 of which $29,000 was invested in a film about cleaning up the problem of street kids in a fictitious city. That production appeared ready to 'bomb', being eight months behind schedule.

Five months later Augustine's attorney called to say he had received a repayment check, first installment, of $7000 on her investment in the film. The film was in theaters and going quite well. Augustine had to sign authority for him to reinvest the money on her behalf because she was under-age to invest in stock. Asked what stock she wanted him to buy she was caught unprepared, having no idea, but seeing the name Apple on the computer on the desk where she was signing the power of attorney she said, "Apple Computers and add to this authority I want all further money generated on my behalf placed into Apple Computers stock."

That was done and the addendum initialed.

The film was panned by critics but that was disregarded by younger people and theaters began running extra screenings and the film began showing in more theaters. Soon the media was reporting 'Street Clean-up' had become a cult and older people began going to see what the fuss was about.

Rick the attorney called Augustine two months later to say she now had $84,000 invested in Apple Computers and the stock price appeared to be in decline. He advised to begin diverting money from the film investment to some other stock.

"No Rick, I'm fine with it going only into Apple stock. Let's keep it simple."

"Okay, listen something on a personal note. My wife is away so what about coming out for dinner with me?"

"Naughty boy Rick Are you forgetting I only sixteen and turn seventeen on Saturday week?"

"Ohmigod, how could you think like that; the invitation was only for dinner."

"That's fine Rick. Invite me out only for dinner when I'm eighteen."

Augustine smiled thinking should she change to a female attorney but then thought Rick was a good guy to work with and did not appear to be screwing her... financially, she giggled. She had decided her virginity would stay until she was ready for it to go.

She was out for dinner with Lisa near her final year at high school. Lisa was her confidante as well as her 'unofficial' guardian and they rent-shared the loft and living expenses, Lisa insisting Augustine only pay 40% of outgoings by giving Lisa a check at the end of each month. Lisa bought her own clothes out of cash she'd gotten from Pauline's estate. Even so, Lisa brought her dresses and shoes and refused to take money, saying she felt Pauline would have loved her for doing that.

"Lisa what age did you begin having sex?"

"Ohmigod."

"Why bring him into it?"

"What?" said Lisa, half-stunned, and then got the joke and practically hee-hawed in unrestrained laughter.

"I'm waiting."

Lisa fended. "No you're not, you're not really interested."

"Oh yeah, do you want me to tell Paul you are also having it off with Roger and for me to tell Roger about Paul?"

"You wouldn't."

"You are tempting me Lisa."

"Oh god, I'm talking to a child."

"It's you last chance."

Red-faced Lisa told her.

"Ohmigod," laughed Augustine. "And you call me a child?"

"Plead Augustine," Lisa wheedled, "Make that the end of this particular conversation and withdraw your threat about interfering in my personal relationships."

"Yeah sure; you met my request so the threat is cancelled. Oh one more thing. Don't you get tired of guys jerking in and out of you?"

"Augustine, for goodness sake. We are having dinner."

"So?"

"Please eat that spinach."

Augustine smiled, thinking that was as far as she could take that conversation.

* * *

For the second year running Augustine played the lead female role in her high school's main production of the year with 18-year-old Gavin Paynter the male lead. They were both widely acclaimed by people who attended and enjoyed their success. As they would be graduating from high school in a few weeks Gavin invited her to a picnic with him on Fowler Park on Saturday, the day after the show ended, to enjoy the calm before the run up to exams began. She happily consented, thinking he might have romantic inclinations. He'd already had her sitting on his knee on one occasion and had rubbed her right breast.

Gavin insisted on bringing all the food and produced a bottle of wine. They both drank wine at home so it wasn't a novelty but got them going well. He ended up tonguing her and playing with her breasts but Augustine withstood his pleadings to be allowed to do more. That made him angry.

"You bitch. You are a big tease."

"You should have warned me. If I'd known of your desires I wouldn't have come here alone with you."

"You're a baby. You know nothing, have no feeling for a guy."

"Shut your wicked mouth you vindictive liar."

"What?"

"Oh that's a line out of a play I did last year. It was actually came during a verbal outburst between two women. Does your mother know you go around trying to have sex with under age females? I'm still seventeen."

"She suspects because I don't hang around with women and has asked why do I have condoms in my pockets."

"Oh why do you?"

"In case I get lucky. Sometimes I do but not with you. The dumb thing is all the nice girls like you don't do it."

"Oh Gavin, what a lovely thing to say to me. You can be so charming."

"Thanks," he said, looking surprised but then spoilt it. "I hope you remember this big chance you threw away."

"Regard it like auditioning Gavin. You win one occasionally, sometimes you lose out when you think you are on to a certainty."

"God Augustine. You are really great and not only as an actress. There are a few females who'd cheerfully murder you for getting that part over them, and the same thing would have happened last year. You know I thought I was up again a kid but you've turned out to be a woman."

"Oh god Gavin. Let's go. You are flustering me."

He laughed. They packed up and walked out into the open an arm around each other. It was just like a scene ending in a play.

Augustine's attorney Rick phoned and told her she had just passed the $150,000 mark in investing in Apple Computers, thanks to the runaway success of the film she had money in although income from the film was slowing..

"As I predicted, Apple's price is in a slide."

"Rick the price will lift again. It does each time the company launches new product, so I've read."

"Well yeah but what if it doesn't and the price collapses?"

"That's what risk is all about Rick. You only have authority to invest on my behalf, not to sell stock, so I'm safe in that direction so my risk is limited to market forces."

"Oh thanks for the slur that I conceivably might be dishonest."

"Down boy. What are you doing Saturday at noon?"

"Nothing."

"What will you wife be doing?"

"Taking the kids to her mother's as she does one Saturday a month."

"May I take you to lunch Saturday, somewhere you are unlikely to have her friends seeing you lunching with me if that would save you from being uncomfortable?"

"Trillo's in Main Street."

"That's in view of everyone."

"So, what have I to hide? It's not illegal for me to lunch with a seventeen-year-old. Oh yeah, you've just had it. How did the birthday go?"

"Fine I didn't send you a letter thanking me for your present because you didn't send me one."

"Bitch."

"Oh that's rather radical for an attorney speaking to his client."

"For some reason I don't understand, we have become friends."

"Oooh, I like that confession."

Rick protested. "It's not a confession. There is nothing sneaky about that comment."

"Oh I'm so glad my attorney is an honorable person. To keep you relaxed may I say lunch on Saturday without sex?"

"You may."

She laughed and said, "Noon at Trillo's. I'll book."

"Thank you. I guess this relates to you passing the $150,000 investment mark."

"Something like that. Bye."

* * *

Rick arrived at Trillo's looking very natty in white trousers and an Italian-cut black shirt that made him look very athletic.

He found Augustine dressed summer casual in cream with a bright red neck scarf, no make up apart from lipstick and her hair in a pony tail.

"I'm disappointed you are not dressed up to look sexy," he said, kissing her lips lightly.

"I thought you'd appreciate if I looked very much a schoolgirl."

He grinned. "Good thinking. Mr Reid and... um..."

"Lolita?"

He grasped his chair for support and whispered, "Jesus."

"White wine for me please daddy."

Rick winced. "They won't serve you liquor."

"I checked. Providing I'm with a parent they will serve a minor."

"Jesus."

"Relax Rick, you don't always have to be in control."

"How old are you?"

"You know my age."

"I was just checking. You are conversing like a very forward thirty-year-old."

"Oh darling, you are so complimentary."

"Shut up. Here comes the waiter. Daughters don't call their father darling."

"Daddy a white wine please, off dry I should think?"

"A Riesling?"

"Perfect."

"A bottle please waiter."

"Certainly sir. That outfit makes you look so young miss."

"Thank you Ivan."

Rick looked as if he couldn't believe this. When the waiter left he said, "You actually know him."

"Yes, he is Ivan Schneider, the older brother of a guy at high school I date occasionally."

They drank and ate leisurely.

While waiting for mains Rick pulled out a small box and said, "Happy Birthday. I overlooked giving you a present on time."

"Ooooh. Thank you. Oh it's lovely Rick," Augustine cooed. "Come over here for a kiss and put it around my neck."

It was a silver necklace, the letter 'A' on a fine chain.

"It's beautiful and I guess rather expensive. You are a naughty boy."

He beamed.

Their mains, steak and lightly grilled chicken arrived.

Leaning forward and whispering, Augustine said, "I invited you here today to mark my investment passing a new benchmark but also to ask you something. "Will you seduce me sometime during summer?"

"What!"

"Shhh, Keep your voice down. I've turned eighteen. Did I ever tell you I was born in August and that's why I was named Augustine by popular vote apparently?"

"What?"

"It doesn't matter. Please answer me."

Rick whispered fiercely, "No, I'm too old for you and besides I'm married."

"It will be with my consent. You are only making a fuss because you didn't come up with the idea."

"Exactly what do you mean by seduce?"

"To fuck me dummy. Jesus what are friends for Rick?"

"Augustine, keep you whispers down."

"No I'm finished. I await your answer and I better be the answer I wait."

"Are you threatening me?"

"Rick I'm not that dumb, I want your cooperation, not to send you galloping for the hills or to apply for a pathetic restraining order."

"Augustine, please give me time to think about this."

"No, you just say yes you will and you will plan for that event to happen. Just the one session, that's all I'm asking. I'm still a virgin. I want you to take it because I admire, respect and like you."

"What?"

"What didn't you understand about admire, respect and like?"

"Er nothing."

"Then give me your answer please Rick. Come on, don't be a naughty boy."

"All right, yes."

"There you go. It would have been much easier had you not decided to draw it out."

"Me draw it out?"

"Yes Rick. You. Normally when one asks a question an answer is given immediately. But it wasn't in this case but I'm not quibbling about it. Oh I think mid August would be lovely."

Rick leaned forward and whispered, "It will be adultery?"

"Oh have you only just worked that out?"

Rick appeared ready to blow a fuse.

Augustine leaned forward. "Rick if you find it necessary to chicken out I'll understand. I'll find some old drunk outside a bar late at night to perform for me."

Rick groaned and emptied his half glass of wine in one gulp. He then choked on it but waved away Augustine when she cried, "Daddy are you okay?" and went to hit him on the back.

Moping his face with a handkerchief, Rick whispered could they now talk about something else.

Looking haughty, Augustine acted a line from a play, "We really don't have much to discuss. You see we have little in common outside of sex."

Two women across from them looked at them curiously.

"Keep your voice down or I'm out of here."

"Then talk to me daddy."

He winced. "What college are you booked into?"

"None, I'm straight out to drama school so I'll be asking you to sell my shares in Goldcorp, well a parcel of that to produce say twelve thousand bucks because I'll be living in New York City to get into the best drama school I can."

"But that's a waste, you act beautifully now."

"You've seen me act?"

"Yes, my wife and I have been to your theater three times when I found you had bit roles."

"Well that is a surprise. But if you must know acting will be like law, you keep on learning for as long as you are a player."

"Attorneys aren't players."

"Aren't they? Rick law is a little about knowledge and techniques and hugely about dialogue. Just like theater."

"My god, that is a brilliant analysis. How old are you?"

Augustine looked pleased but said, "That wasn't original Rick. That was a line from a P. H. Spicer play written fifteen years ago and ran with three weeks in Dallas, where she lives, but it was not performed in many other places. The critics slammed it, saying it was too subtle, too involved. You must understand many critics and at least 40% of audiences are male."

Rick looked suspiciously at the mocking smile of the teenager. "You read scripts?"

"Yes like most of my female contemporaries read books. Our theater currently has rehearsals going for an upcoming midweek production called 'The Enchanting Misfit'. It's my first play."

"Ohmigod, are you starring in it? We must come."

"Oh don't bother Rick. It's just theater management being nice to me to give me something for my CV. I have been appointed director of the play."

"Really? They are ambitious for you. Is it a minor or major production?"

"I have to say major because it's our fourth most expensive production of the season. If you really want tickets I'll get them for you because it probably will be a sell-out attracting our loyal supporters. All profits will go into the Pauline Jarosinski Memorial Fund to support young child actors aged fifteen and under of one-parent families who are receiving coaching at the theater. At their age and arriving unaccompanied, they should travel to and from the theater in cabs and be given a meal at the theater café. Theater management supported my plea 100% to establish this memorial to my theater-loving mother."

"Augustine, that is brilliant. Please get me a flyer and I'll post it on our notice board in our work café and I'll attach a note appealing to people to support my youngest client. We have almost 300 working in our building, so you'll attract some of them. I'll get a big feature published in the 'Ashburton Daily Record'.

"They won't do that. Our promo lady has managed to get only two mentions in the newspaper's arts page on Saturdays. You see the play is unknown, the author is unknown."

"Leave it to me. My mother is associate editor of the Daily Record and has been for thirty-two years."

Rick's confidence was met and a two-page spread in Saturday's newspaper two weeks later told the story of the young playwright-actor and 'the world premiere' of her first play that she was also directing. The feature included a photo and sidebar story of the youngster's mother, Pauline Jarosinski.

Augustine was thrilled and had Lisa order two bottles of fine red wine to be delivered to Rick's office on Monday. He called.

"Oh you noticed the feature?"

"Oh yes, I was interviewed for it. Oh Rick it was wonderful and that piece about my mother made me cry. I wasn't expecting to experience that emotion."

"Well she was your mother."

"Yes and I have analyzed that as latent understanding that I retain emotional connection to her, and that makes me so happy. I have told Lisa about it and she kissed and hugged me and we both wept copiously."


Child of the Theater



"I think that was lovely."

"Oh do you Rick? What a lovely thing to say to me. Must go, I'm at the theater and there's an urgent telephone call for me."

Two hours later Augustine called Rick.

"Hi, this is unbelievable. The Daily News in New York is sending a photographer and reporter to interview me on opening night and to report on the production."

"Wow, your big breakthrough and you're not quite left high school yet."

"I think that's partly the reason for this buzz. I've also taken a call from a TV station to film me talking to people coming out of the theater on Opening Night and they saying what they thought of the production, including comments of professional critics. Apparently that film clip is likely to go out on network TV."

"This is wonderful, I'm so happy for you Augustine."

"Thank you and thank you for your support. I have secured you four tickets sitting in the VIP row on opening night. You might like to be accompanied by your parents or at least another couple. Please don't come near me. I have no wish to meet your wife because that could change my mind about you seducing me."

"Perhaps it's only right you mind should be changed."

"Naughty boy Rick. What is right?"

Augustine laughed and cut the call, leaving Rick to ponder her final comment.

* * *

The management of Palladium Theater held an emergency meeting to consider the latest developments.

The production of 'The Enchanting Misfit' was scheduled to run on Tuesday and Wednesday nights and was already booked out.

Tony Soper, the theater trust chairman had arrived to chair the meeting called to discuss the looming crisis. He said, "We are over a barrel over this. What was authorized as part of our experimental theater program is running away on us. The press is coming from New York for opening night and I am told the interview with our juvenile playwright is likely to go on national network TV. My god, has the world gone mad!"

Tony took a sip of water. "Status report please Elizabeth."

The front-of-house manager cleared her throat. "Tuesday and Wednesday nights are booked out."

"What, that's a total of 1340 seats sold?"

"Yes Tony, but that's why I asked for this emergency meeting. "We have a waiting list for almost 800 more seats and opening night is still twelve days away."

"Ah Tony."

"Yes Elizabeth," he snapped. 

"That's not all. An hour ago I received a call from the personal assistant of the managing partner of our theater's law firm, Henderson-Fleming Law, that all the law firms in the city have people wanting to see the play because its being staged for a worthy charity. Apparently there are many people who remember Pauline way back when she was on the stage. I've since received a check for 392 tickets."

"Jesus. Why this interest from law firms?"

"It seems our juvenile playwright has her own attorney and he is a partner in Henderson-Fleming Law and volunteered to pin up a notice in the law firm's café to solicit attendance. Obviously it took off from there."

"This is a disaster," Tony panicked. "We have sold out for our new play on the Saturday night following and I understand fewer than fifty seats are left on any night of its run in the following week. What is happening?"

Lisa said, "We close for the summer in four weeks and our loyal patrons are getting their diet of culture to take them through the summer recess."

"Well there could be some truth in that. Lisa, help me out here. What do we do?"

"It's easy Tony, a management problem to solve. We put those law people into the theatre on Friday, then fill available seats from the waiting list and offer the overflow the chance to see the play at a Saturday matinee. I've spoken to our stage manager. Archie has spoken to his people and he came back with the answer. Tell us the outcome Archie."

Archie said, "Well it was a 100% vote to support the two extra nights and the matinee Tony. We all loved Pauline Jarosinski and were shocked by her premature death."

Tony said quietly, "Archie, you are attending rehearsals of 'The Enchanting Misfit' of course. Now take this carefully, you have been in theater longer than anyone of us in this room. What is your honest opinion? If this play bombs we'll be hugely embarrassed and I mean hugely."

"So you want my learned and honest opinion?"

"Yes please."

"Sorry Lisa, I'm being asked to stick me nose in where it shouldn't be. In my opinion you guys have absolutely nothing to worry about. That's all I wish to say."

Tony has something of a smile returning. "Okay Lisa. Please answer that same question."

"We have a little ripper of a play on our hands. I can assure you this is no way experimental theater and the cast is having a ball and in the words of our juvenile playwright, 'God they are all so good'. Oh we have over-spent budget on sets."

"By how much?"

"Two hundred bucks."

"Archie spend up to another five hundred making improvements. I really don't know what I'm talking about but I know have a good feeling about this show. Elizabeth tell your team to take no more bookings."

"That's already been done Tony but well still run a waiting list of hopefuls and fill the house for that matinee."

"Well thanks for your attendance everyone," Tony smiled. "This is why we all love theater isn't it? One never knows what to expect."

Tony followed Lisa into her office and asked to read the script of Augustine's play.

"Here's a spare copy. Take it home and read."

"No I'll read it in the café."

"You can read it here if you wish. I'm due to watch rehearsals in a few minutes. If you get through it in one hit come down and tell me what you think."

* * *

Tony arrived as those in the cast needed for this rehearsal were disbanding. He found Lisa with Augustine and went up to Augustine and kissed her.

"What was that for?"

"I always have the urge to kiss pretty girls," he chuckled. "No, I just wanted to be the first to acknowledge a budding famous playwright."

"Well it's a lost kiss. I wish to act, not write. I wrote this play to enhance my chances of gaining acceptance to the drama school of my choice in New York."

"I understand only a minority of applicants gain admission."

Augustine nodded. "So I thought writing a play might help convince them I have a place in their school."

"Great thinking. Look I have some influential contacts..."

Augustine shook her head. "That's a lovely offer Tony but if they fail to see my talent or have no need for it in their school, then that school is not for me."

"But Augustine..."

Lisa intervened. "Leave it Tony. Augustine is an innocent and sees not need for the greasing of palms to put it crudely. If she does it her way she'll stand out and be recognized for what she is."

"Someone with star quality?"

"If she comes to the notice of the right people yes."

CHAPTER 2

There was a huge air of expectation in the theater as the lights dimmed and finally extinguished and a spotlight hit the center the stage. Against the curtain stood a lithe blonde, hair piled high and tightly clad in a tight shiny gold dress, ending mid-thigh. She wore gold strap shoes with glass heels.

"Good evening everyone, I'm Augustine Jack."

The applause was huge.

When it died Augustine said, "Thank you for coming here tonight in honor of my late mother Pauline Jarosinski, who was principal director here when she died from complications arising from influenza just over a year ago. Profits from this production will go into a trust fund to assist youngster of solo parents who wish to come here to learn about theater, taking part in out activities."

More applause.

"I wrote this play because I soon graduated from high school and felt I wished to leave something of me behind in this theater when I leave it in a month's time. I didn't wish to be remembered as just a pretty face."

Laughter.

"This is the story about the father I never knew and my mother only knew him for thirteen weeks before he disappeared from her life. So this story is from my imagination about who was my father and what happened to him. I've spent my entire life living in the loft above the storeroom of this theater and I act and aspire to become a professional actress. So can an aspiring actress write? You are about to find out."

Long laughter.

"I wish to thank the trust and the management of the Palladium Theater for providing the use of their theater for my play and full cooperation in setting up the fund. I was told agreeing to my requests was no problem because everyone had loved my mother." 

"Now perhaps the bad news. I didn't ask for it... it was offered to me despite being a no-no in theater. Management appointed me, the playwright, as director of this production. Lisa my guardian succeeded my mother as principal director here and she has faithfully stood by to offer assistance, but only if I asked for it and that wasn't often because I just knew what to do. I have had the run of this theater ever since I could walk. Now let's honor my mother. Thank you."

Augustine waved and to a standing ovation walked off into the wing.

Rick, sitting with his wife Stephanie on VIP row said to the wife of the Mayor sitting beside him, "Wasn't she great?"

"Oh she's such a darling," said Mrs Foster and Mayor Foster leant around his wife and said, "If that is typical of our upcoming generation there's hope for America."

Rick said to Stephanie, "Well?"

"Your youngest client will make you very proud tonight darling. I feel it in my bones." 

* * *

The play was a 13-week love story full of humor, tenderness, drama and pathos, build round a new Polish immigrant called Eugene Ejack, a thin guy, lean and lanky who struggled to make himself understood until he stepped on stage. He'd learned his lines and had been coached by his lover, the director, to speak his dialogues in impeccable English and his voice was strong and richly resonant that filled the theatre with ease. He'd been raised in theater in Poland and required only minimal direction. Audiences loved him and so did his benefactor, the lovely woman called Pauline Jarosinski. 

The final scene was very short. It showed an older Eugene reading on a bed to two children, a girl and a younger boy. A woman, presumably his wife stood behind them in the doorway.

"Tell us our favorite story daddy about when you arrived in America."

"Aw you don't want to hear that old story again do you Pauline?"

"Yes daddy, don't we Ronnie?"

"Yes daddy, and tell us in that funny voice as the pretty lady in the blue dress with a red ribbon in her hair asked you had you been an actor in Poland."

* * * 

Curtain fall produced a standing ovation and the audience remained standing and clapping as the principals returned to the empty stage in ones and twos until all the cast was back on stage and they waved as final curtain was called.

Rick cupped his hands to his mouth and yelled, "Author, author!" and the cry was taken up and filled the auditorium. 

The curtain lifted again and Augustine loped on stage holding hands with two other people.

The applause died and she said, "Thank you everyone. Your applause has so moved all of us. This man is Tony Soper, chairman of our theater trust, who made tonight possible by sanctioning this fund-raising effort. It was supposed to run two nights as part of our experimental theater program but it's run away on us. We now have full houses for two more nights and will stage a matinee on Saturday to take the overflow. This has been a truly wonderful, wonderful response from our community."

Huge applause.

"That this lady," Augustine continued, is my leading light, the lady who stepped into my late mother's shoes in more ways that one. This is my guardian and this theater's principle director, Miss Lisa Cobb. Thank you everyone and good night.

The TV team was in action in the foyer. Celebrity interviewer Nellie Long presented her opening and begun asking emerging patrons what they had thought of the show. Comments included, "We rather liked it," "Awesome," and "I enjoyed it immensely" to "It's unbelievable that a 17-year-old could write and produce drama like that and I ought to know. I have taught high school drama for twenty-three years and was a former amateur actress of some note."

"Oh here is the young lady of the moment," Nellie said, and the cameras swung to record the arrival of Augustine.

"This is juvenile playwright Augustine Jack, who has just directed the opening night cast presenting her play, 'The Enchanting Misfit'.

"Briefly what is the storyline darling?"

"About my father who I never met, a new immigrant from Poland, who courted and loved my mother during the thirteen weeks he played a supporting part in a play under my mother's direction."

"Oh yes, so sad. I watched tonight's presentation and at times I wept."

"That's only because you were meant to; the story was pitched that way."

"But you presented him as a hero."

"I have no memory of him so I was at liberty to fill in the gaps to make a cohesive story that I shall always remember fondly."

"So you mother died just over a year ago and the proceeds are to establish a trust fund in memory of your mother to assist juvenile actors who come to your Palladium Theater to acquire their first taste of theater?"

"Just the profits will go to that fund..."

"Correction ladies, I'm Tony Soper, chairman of the trust board. We have just had an emergency trust board meeting and have decided the gross proceeds of the four-night run of this show and Saturday's matinee will go into the memorial fund."

"Oh Tony," Augustine said, bursting into tears and throwing her arms around him.

"Well folk, we're out of time. What a remarkable young orphan this Augustine Jack is. I suggest you remember her name because she will become someone. I'll bet big on that. This is Nellie Long, signing off from the Palladium Theater in Ashburton City, Pennsylvania. We had such a hard time finding this city because none of my crew nor I had ever heard of Ashburton City."

Augustine thanked Nellie and was about to be taken away to be interviewed by newspaper reporters when a very attractive raven-haired woman in white touch Augustine on the upper and said, "Augustine, wait for ten seconds. I just want to say you are amazing. You gave me the best modern theatre experience I've ever had."

"Why thank you."

"I'm Stephanie Reid."

"Rick wife? Ohmigod, you are so beautiful. How nice to meet you."

"Thank you my dear. I must let you go."

A large photo of Stephanie talking to Augustine with the crowd milling behind them appeared on the front page of the Daily Record next morning. It was a beautiful photo of lively interaction caught on camera. The heading over the report was, 'Young Playwright Hailed' and that pretty much summed up media reviews.

The opening night party was still roaring away when Augustine went around everyone saying good night and bright-eyed Lisa was in a bit of a huddle with the male lead who'd played Augustine's father. Augustine kissed them both and whispered to Lisa, "I'll sleep on the spare bed down in the store. Have a beautiful night."

* * *

Unable to sleep Augustine first thought about Roland and Lisa. Roland was a divorcee and very unhappy but he looked fine tonight as if discovering well there was something he could do well and succeed with. She could tell by the way Lisa had been looking at Roland since he'd come on to the scene that given half the chance Lisa would be all over him.

Augustine asked herself would her mother have been proud of her daughter tonight and smiled the answer through her tears. Pauline had been all about theater, taking her first walk-on role at the Palladium when she was six. Pauline had been in a hurry to introduce her daughter to the stage and had Augustine written in as a crying baby when Augustine was two months old and she had cried right on cue when the leading lady suddenly pulled the blanket off baby Augustine.

She thought of all the people who'd passed through her theater life as far back as her memory would take her and realized one day she'd write a novel based on her life and the amazing influence her mother had had on her life. Her mother had even shifted Augustine to a different grade school to be in a class with a male teacher, fearful of Augustine growing up as a mommy's girl. But she needed have worried. If the young girl ever needed to cry on the shoulder of a father-like figure she ran to Archie.

"Ohmigod, Archie has always acted as my surrogate father, well in a very small way, never intruding," Augustine said aloud, amazed at this sudden revelation. Why hadn't she seen it before? She had known of course after Archie's marriage broke up he and her mother had had a high-charged love affair over a couple of years because people were still talking about it when she was nine or ten. No one could tell her why they'd broken up. Perhaps it was time to ask Archie now remarried to a docile woman who ran the theater café. Perhaps the best way to handle this would be to ask Archie to write everything he could remember about her mother, warts and all, because one day she would attempt to write a novel based on the life of her mother. And yes, she would ask him to write all about their love affair... everything because modern novels required sex scenes. And yes, she would ask him to write about his relationship with Pauline after the breakup and then why despite the tension he had acted so kindly to Augustine after her mother's death.

"Yes, tell me everything Archie. Please. Yes that's what I'll ask."

It was almost 1:00 and her phone went. Who the hell was calling her at this time of night... a newspaper reporter?

She looked at the screen and smiled.

"Hi are you calling to wake me up to ask if I'm happily asleep?"

"What?"

"Gee Rick, why is it half the things I say to you appear rather complicated to you? For Christ sake Rick, you are a supposedly learned attorney."

"Augustine, watch your language. You are a minor so I try to watch what I say to you as you tend to speak in a loaded manner."

"Never heard of it. What's a loaded manner?"

"Some of your utterances come attached with possible alternative meanings."

"I see so you think entrapment. Should I switch to another attorney?"

"No for goodness sake Augustine, don't over-react."

"Are we rowing?"

Rick sucked in breath. "Oh Christ, it looks that way doesn't it."

"Watch your language Rick, you are speaking to a young lady."

He laughed and said, "I was finishing some work and remembered you'd instructed me to keep away from you. I just had to call to say your work showed a maturity well beyond your years and although I found your dramatic intent rather convoluted at times it all came together to be nicely rounded and packaged and left me feeling I'd been taken through one of life's experiences. I was left thinking and have to say I enjoyed it immensely."

"Christ Rick, that's going rather overboard for you. I now suspect as a guy you might be in possession of a brain."

"Ha-ha. I just wanted to share my thoughts with you after I spent ninety minutes tonight sharing your thoughts. Just a minute, I'll close the door."

"I'll now say something that has been troubling me every since I first met you."

"Okay shoot; I'm a big girl now Rick."

"You mightn't like it."

"So?"

"I once spent two weekends up at the lake with your mother."

"So?"

"You don't appear to understand. I meant sexually and it was when my wife was in late pregnancy with our first child."

"Thanks for telling me Rick. I wondered if you two had done it."

"What?"

"Oh dear, here we go again..."

"You knew?"

"No Rick, I didn't know but I suspected because I was aware of two things. My mother had that affect on men and I was aware you appeared very fond of my mother and I saw you crying at the graveside."




Child of the Theater



"Jesus."

"An appropriate comment considering the enormity of my disclosure and your continuing guilt."

"Augustine you are not supposed to know these things; you are not yet eighteen."

"Indeed, I have weeks to go. It's a bit of a worry for you isn't it Rick? Do you think I'm destined to implode?"

"What?"

"Oh dear. Good night Rick. No wait, your wife came up to me tonight. She'd lovely, quite beautiful Rick."

"What? Stephanie said she was off for a pee."

"Well she saw me and seized the moment but I assure you she didn't pee over me. She was lovely, I said she was beautiful and she said I was amazing and had given her the best experience of modern theater she'd ever had. I thanked her and she saw the media woman was frantically attempting to get me along to meet the press so your wife smiled and said she must let me go."

"Stephanie never mentioned that to me."

"She probably thought you wouldn't be interested to know she'd met me and perhaps thought that would disturb you if she had suspicious you were having an affair with me, that being a contentious issue between an attorney and client and what with me being a minor as well."

"Oh god. How can you think like that? If you do she probably does as well."

"Rick, keep calm. Do you want my honest opinion about that?"

"Yes."

"Her entire demeanor suggested she was talking to a sweet, innocence young girl who was her husband's youngest client. And that's all."

"Are you certain about that?"

"Yes, as certain as I can be. I have been taught to read people and analyze their emotions. I can honestly say there was not one iota of hostility surrounding your wife. She was 100% charm. Goodnight."

"Goodnight. I wonder if I can sleep now?"

"Oh here's something to keep you awake. Now I have met Christine and know I like her there's now way I can have sex with you."

"Thank Christ for that. Now I can sleep peacefully."

"Ha-ha you liar," Augustine said. "Men can't possibly be relieved to let one get away."

"How old are you? Good night Augustine, my youngest and my most fascinating client."

* * *

One Saturday Lisa took Augustine to New York for the day to meet a retired drama critic. The young girl went reluctantly saying she should be home studying for the following week's exams.

"You need a break."

"I do not."

"You are coming to New York if I have to drag you by the hair."

"Bitch."

Lisa laughed and said that was better.

They went up the first flight of stairs to Angela Cohen's apartment.

"I still don't know why we are here; this woman will be too old to help me"

"Nonsense and stop grumbling. I was right; you do need a break. Like you Mrs Cohen's entire life has been in theater, the difference being you are about to turn eighteen while she is eight-six I believe."

The wheezing woman wearing much too make-up and half the stock of a beads store round her neck invited them in.

"Thank you for agreeing to see us Mrs Cohen."

"It's my duty Lisa. I read the very favorable review of this young women's work in the Daily News and thought, "I wish that were me when I started out. What a magnificent start to a career in drama. Hello Augustine."

"Hi do I call you Mrs Cohen or Angela?"

Lisa was aghast but Mrs Cohen smiled warmly and said, "Whatever keeps you happy dear. You do look quite a lot like your mother."

"My mother?"

"Well your late mother."

"But how..."

"Before I became a theater critic I ran an acting studio. Your mother was one of my first students and I remember her well."

Augustine burst into tears and Lisa raced to hug her. "I apologize Mrs Cohen. This came as quite a shock to Augustine. She knows practically nothing of her mother's early life."

"Well my dear when you arrive in New York to study you must keep in contact with me. I shall introduce you to people who knew your mother very well, some carnally I daresay and some now very famous in American theater. Your mother was just a little better than an also-ran actress but because of her personality she remains my favorite student of them all in the nine years I ran my studio."

Wiping her eyes Augustine said, Mrs Cohen..."

"Just because I knew your mother you don't need to address me reverently my dear."

"Angela, when I come to New York I'll visit to hear you tell me what you can remember about my mother and to tell my your life's story."

"Yes certainly me dear. I can jog my memory from my diaries and she is mentioned in my unpublished memoirs because she was in my third intake of students and for the next three years was my most successful student and then I began attracting really star quality students because of my spreading reputation of being a quality tutor."

"Unpublished memoirs? But why are they unpublished?"

"Have you any idea how many people in this city attempt to have their memoirs published my dear? This is New York City."

"I like to read your manuscript Angela."

"Really? You could just be the person with the flair to make it sing. Let's see, perhaps you could live here with me and try rewriting my memoirs, but don't get too excited, it's only a thought at this stage. My late husband died wealthy so there would be money to pay you. Now let's try to establish the pathway for you. I'll be a little rusty but used to be very good at giving that level of advice. It is something fraught with danger. Oh I apologize, being young you won't know what fraught means because it's rarely used these days. My book is written in somewhat archaic language."

"In the context used it means charged with danger. Fraught is an archaic word in Dutch I think for freight."

"My goodness."

"Augustine is a very learned senior high school student Mrs Cohen."

"I'm beginning to suspect that. Lisa why don't you leave Augustine for a couple of hours and then return and we'll go out for lunch, probably to meet someone. Turn left when you leave this building and walk four blocks and you'll be in Fifth Avenue. Remember the name of this street and walk back four blocks."

When Lisa returned Mrs Cohen went off to make a phone call and to get ready.

Lisa was appalled. You now want to study film and TV drama? But you have been educated for live theatre?"

"Angela agrees with that and says it's wonderful foundation education, probably the best there is. She asked me a hundred questions and finally said I have visual qualities that are rare and I have the vitality of my mother and can acquire the brooding look that probably I inherited from my naughty father. She said if I train for film I'll be found and she'd bet her life on that."

"Well is very well for Mrs Cohen to say that but what if your destiny is on the stage, live?"

"Angela has pointed out my ambition is to act professionally and try to achieve a standard of excellent that will be publicly recognized. Then said she I had not defined where I wished to perform and I said, without thinking, anywhere and that's when she said in her opinion I should go for film, that I had all the time assumed it would be live theater simply because that's what I had been exposed to."

"Well there's no rush. We can talk and think about this darling. Perhaps we should seek another consultant."

"Why?"

"Well because... well because."

"Angela says my reason for coming to New York is to receive high quality training and to try to begin building recognition that I have talent."

"Well at least she's right about that."

"She also said once trained there is cross-over and pointed out some of the most famous actors in film also switch to life theater at times."

"Ah yes, well I have to say that sounds pretty convincing."

Angela took them to a restaurant set for four.

"Marco will be joining us and paying. He says that will be in lieu of a small fee for me spotting talent that he ought to consider. If he concurs with my opinion he'll recommend the next step of your budding career. My thinking a year of damn hard work ought to do it rather than burying yourself into full blown study Augustine because much of it will be irrelevant to your future career and will quickly date."

"Whatever you say Angela."

"Mrs Cohen I worry about what you are saying to Augustine. She is at an impressionable age."

"My dear relax. This is Augustine's really big chance and it comes because she is at an impressionable age."

Lisa hesitated and then smiled, "Yes of course."

Marco Giordano arrived and he quickly greeted the woman when introduced and then for at least five minutes his eyes never left Augustine's face. He then said, "Walk slowly over to that wall over there Augustine and then return, smiling at me, attempting different emotive expression. Do you know what I mean?"

"I do Marco. I realize you are not attempting to make my feel ridiculous in this filled restaurant."

He smiled and cupped his hands to rest his chin and waited.

Augustine minced over to the wall and returned, first smiling haughtily, then appearing ready to cry and then she licked her lips and pouted. Reaching the table she sprawled across it and grabbing Marco's with jacket by the labels said, greatly dramatically: "Well I haven't missed you Hubert. In fact, I've been revoltingly unfaithful to you. But it doesn't matter, because you don't care about me anymore anyway."

Marco gaped, swallowed and said, "Jesus."

Angela laughed and Lisa said to her, "What's the joke?"

"Augustine practically scared the crap out of Marco, a good Catholic who is married with three adult daughters. Your Augustine was quoting a famous line, playing Lolita."

People at nearby tables turned away laughing.

Straitening his tie and running a hand through his hair Marco said, "Thank you Augustine, beautifully performed."

"Angela you are totally correct. This girl has film written all over her. I'll call Tony Ricardo to take her in his September intake, even if it's full."

"But can you do that Marco?"

"I made Tony what he is today. Tony knows he can never repay me."

"Marco scouts talent but used to run an acting studio with his first wife," Angela explained. "They turned out Tony Ricardo into gaining rapid rise as a notable teenage film actor and he continued to star until he began putting on weight because of his riotous way of life and he lost motivation. He retained that by coaching others to reveal their talent. Filmmakers know his studio is not rated in the top five but they still come to Tony because they know he turns out the occasional stunner. That's correct isn't it Marco?"

"That explains it exactly Augustine. He will run with you from September thru to May and by then you won't believe how far you have advanced. You may even be pulling in paid work before you graduate, short-term stuff because he'll not allow you to break his coaching rhythm. You won't have to apply. Just write to him and send him your CV and record of your acting work. That's all and he'll ask for money and give you a starting date. You best be in early to find accommodation."

"Augustine will start off by living with me."

"Since when did you host a student?"

"This one is special. I coached her mom."

"Well don't we live in a small world?" Marco said, handing Augustine Tony Ricardo's business card.

In the bus returning to Pennsylvania Augustine kissed Lisa and said, "Thank you. Because of your effort it is beginning to happen for me."

"I didn't regard it as my duty."

"I know, you did it because you love me. Just me as a person. Have your own children Lisa before you run out of time."

"Well I-I don't know."

"Invite Roland to impregnate you; don't say a word about marriage. Just get pregnant first before worrying about outcomes otherwise it possibly won't happen."

"Oh god, my own mother should be counseling me about this, not you."

"Age doesn't real matter Lisa and you should believe me. It's the quality of advice that matters rather than how the person looks, how experienced they are or that you really don't know much about them. Think just how sound my advice sound to you; not how old I am."

"I-I guess you are right. I have to think."

"I'd do anything for you Lisa. I owe you a debt I can never repay. If it hadn't been for you I would have been in some clearing house for unwanted children."

"Not you darling, everyone would have wanted you."

"Oh yeah? God Lisa you are a hopeless romantic. Just make sure you show Roland you have talent and you care for him."

"Care for him?"

"God Lisa, you are so naïve. Don't you know men are grown up babies?"

At 2:00 am next morning Augustine had completed her package and had it couriered to Tony Ricardo.

Three days later, coming out of an exam, Augustine took a message and returned the call.

"Tony Ricardo?"

"This is your new student, Augustine Jack. I'm in the middle of exams so cannot come to New York to see you."

"My September course is full. If you don't comply with my request no way will I accept you."

"Fuck you Tony," Augustine shouted. She cut the call and rolled around on the school patio crying.

"Oh Augustine, the pressure of exams too much for you?" smiled a supercilious bitch from her class.

Augustine gritted and went home to begin revision for her next exam.

Next afternoon she opened a courier package from New York.

Tony Ricardo had scrawled a note, 'No one says Fuck You to Tony Ricardo and gets away with it. For some reason you have, bitch. Enclosed is your registration acceptance and a DVD that explains who we are, what we do, how we tailor for individual needs and other stuff. You are starting off as my most loathed student so do try to improve. I personally work heavily with students arriving with rave endorsements. I have been checking up on you. TR.'

"Oh Tony, you sound my kind of guy," Augustine said.

She posted him a note confirming her acceptance with a check with a note: As Vivian Leigh said in Streetcar Named Desire, 'I have always depended on the kindness of strangers' AJ.

Three days later she smiled at the reply: 'We prepare to welcome you here Miss Jack, unable to believe that someone of your extraordinary talent would come through our doors wishing to anoint our premises with your greatness, that is if we manage to successfully lead you forward without you tripping. Your humble servants from the Tony Ricardo Studio. Actually you sound a swell kid. TR.'

The following Saturday, night of the big post-exam party, Lisa went down to answer someone calling up to them. Augustine was filing her nails.

Lisa returned with a raven-headed woman.

"Augustine!"

"Oh Mrs Reid."

"Oooh, you remember me. I'm flattered. Please call me Stephanie or Steph if you wish."

"Hi Steph, I gather you have met my guardian Lisa Cobb."

"Yes Lisa and I have served on a couple of charity fund-raisers together but it is you I wish to see. My daughter aged eleven is interested in meeting you. She loves acting in playmaking and wonders about becoming a playwright. I know it is early days and the school is unable to advise her and says she should wait till she goes to college where career advice is available but she is impatient."

"Yes and I would be too. Where can I meet her?

"Look this is short notice but could you come for a cookout tomorrow at 4:00?"

"Yes of course."

"Oh you are so kind. So this is where you live. You two have made this place lovely."

"I've always lived here Steph but leave in September, perhaps forever. I am going to New York for training."

"Oh whereabouts, I come from Manhattan?"

"The Tony Ricardo Studio."

"But that's almost impossible to get in; only the very top people get in there and anyway it's for film students."

"Don't fret Steph, " Lisa smiled. "Augustine has been admitted. There are people who believe she possesses what it takes to go the full mile."

"Ohmigod." 

Two hours later Rick called.

"What's this I hear? You told me you'd be going to New York for training but my wife says it's for training for movies and TV."

"Oh interested are you? When in my company please remember Steph has a name."

"So Steph already is she?"

"Don't be bitter Rick. You are the cause for me slipping through your fingers. You allowed her to get at me."

"That's ridiculous."

"And here was I brought up to believe attorneys had brains and were trained to ensure they always look at the big picture."

"Augustine, I'm warning you. You won't be able to talk to men in New York like you do to me."

"Don't worry. When I arrive in NYC I will play the innocent. Judging by what I've seen on TV and in film, the city already has an overload of high-octane, loud-mouth women with artificially colored hair."

"So you think appearing to be a dumb blonde will get you somewhere?"

"More like an artless blonde with unrevealed substance I should think. By why don't you get back to making money Rick? I'm seeing you tomorrow late afternoon."

"Where?"

"At you place for a cookout. God don't you and Steph communicate? Oh I'll drop by Monday to assign you power of attorney to sell $15,000 of my Goldsboro shares to be placed in my bank account to leave me comfortable in New York."

"Why sell now?"

"Because the price will surely fall during summer due to a decline in interest in gold shares. Don't you know anything?"

"Christ Augustine, you would have made a great attorney. In this law firm we'd assign you in a flash to deal with difficult clients as you'd have natural affinity with them. Why has Steph invited you over?"

"Practice good communication darling. Ask your wife."

* * *

As a result of starring at that cookout, Rick and Stephanie's daughter Olivia was smitten by Augustine while her younger brother Anthony found the visitor a bore, attracting his sister's total attention like that. Augustine still had time to talk to her hosts and Step's fascinating parents and when the parents and Augustine were leaving Steph said, "I'll give you a call about lunch later in the week Augustine."

"Right."

Step's mom Sara Burton said, "Why don't you invite this amazing young woman to join us at the lake for July the Fourth and stay several days."

"Great idea mom," Steph said, "and Augustine I'll also invite Lisa. We can confirm details when we meet next week." 

A surprising friendship developed between Augustine and Steph who was thirty-six, two years younger than Rick. They met once a week and often Augustine went to their home for lunch or dinner on a Sunday.

Lisa didn't go to the lake. Instead she went to Chicago with Roland Miller. He was anxious for Lisa to meet his parents. From there they planned to go to Baltimore to stay a few days with her parents. Lisa was ever so happy about how Roland was attaching like a limpet to her. Augustine slept down in the store whenever Roland decided to stay.

The only time Augustine began to say Roland could move in when she left she was not allowed to complete. Lisa slapped her hands over her ears and shouted rather panicky, "Don't, don't. Do nothing, say nothing that might break the spell."

One Saturday afternoon after her graduation with distinction, winning the Blithe Andrews memorial award for acting, the school's $1000 drama scholarship payable only for drama studies and the English literature prize, Augustine was painting a wall in the theater café with Roland.

She asked straight out, "Will you move in when I move out?"

"If I'm invited, yes. Definitely yes. You won't mind will you?"

"God no. I want it to happen and Lisa wants it to happen even more than me but she's nervous it won't happen."

"Ouch. What do you suggest?"

Augustine told Roland than Lisa was a little nervy about it so the best tactic would be to drop hints but not to force it along. "The best time to hint is right after fucking."

"Augustine!"

"What?"

Roland sighed and said it didn't matter. He turned away and she heard his muffled laughter. She smiled and thought that was my gift to you darling Lisa."




Child of the Theater



CHAPTER 3

A good looking guy waiting at the bus station smiled at Augustine and said, "Aunt Steph said you'd be the most outstanding babe at the bus station so you must be Augustine."

"Oh hi, yes I am she."

"Do we kiss?"

"God you're an opportunist. Yes we should."

"Only if you want."

"Okay, I want."

They kissed.

"I'm Ross Dutton. I'm a sophomore and plan to become an aircraft engineer."

"Oh how impressive. Is Steph your mom's sister?"

"Yeah she's mom's younger sister. Quite a babe isn't she?"

"Yes she is lovely if that's what you mean."

"Yeah it's what I mean. What do I call you? Augustine is a long name."

"I'll answer to Blondie."

"We have about five blondies in the house."

"But few blondes answer when called Blondie. They think it belittles them."

"And you don't?"

"Good question Ross. No I can find no reason to find the moniker objectionable. There is just the problem of possible confusion. I thought I was going to a lakeside cabin."

"Being true lakeside it's on Millionaire's Row and sleeps twenty comfortably. We'll be overcrowded tomorrow night for July 4 but at least five couples will be off next day."

As Ross pointed to the house Augustine said, "Ohmigod, it's a mansion. What does Steph's father do?"

"Practically nothing. They travel a lot. Granddad used to sell insurance but Gran inherited her father's office machines business that is now part of the largest computer company in this state. She made millions from the sale. Gran doesn't like computers."

"Um Blondie. I have other cousins here and there might be competition for you."

"No problem Ross. You found me first. We can tell them I'm with you."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, you appear to be a good guy. I must warn you I've only just turned eighteen and graduated. I've not had a guy go all the way yet."

"I can fix that if you want."

"Oooh I want. Go for it Ross."

Ross licked his lips and they came close to plowing into parked vehicles.

The adults were in a massive lounge, drinking booze or coffee or juice.

"Augustine!" yelled Steph, and rushed to claim her. They kissed.

"This is my oldest sister Maggie and this is Ross's mom Cathy."

"Ohmigod Steph, you are so right. Augustine already has the look of a film star."

"Oh Mrs Duxton, I think you are confused. What I am is a recently released high school graduate."

"Call me Cathy darling and I love you for being able to sound modest and look coy. You are just right with everything to specialize as an ingénue."

"You know about theater?" Augustine asked in surprise.

"Cathy teaches drama at a college in Boston darling. I'm the big sister and please call me Maggie. My husband Eugene is interested in meeting you."

"You mean Eugene Eliot, um is your married name Eliot?"

"Yes, do you know Eugene?"

"No but I know of him. Our theater ran with 'Love Amid the Oranges' for two weeks. I played Novella."

"Ohmigod," Maggie shrieked, bringing the room silent. Pointing to the group of men Maggie said, "Eugene is over there. Greet him with some of Novella's lines.

"Daddy," Augustine said, crossing her hands over her breasts and pulling on her arms, shivering a little. "You know I detest this new woman you insist I call mother but you must be told she's a whore. Not three minutes ago I saw her embracing Philippe in the packinghouse."

A middle-aged balding guy emerged from the male group scratching an ear.

"How dare you call your mother a whore Novella, apologize instantly."

"Why should I and why am I being victimized for telling the truth?"

"Apologize damn you."

Augustine uncoiled and raced across the room and slapped 'Gerard' a stinging blow across the face, the sound ringing through the room.

He staggered back holding his cheek and yelled, "Hey Augustine, there's no need to overact."

"Bravo Augustine," Maggie called. "Eugene, as you've just found out the hard way Augustine played Novella when her theater staged 'Love Amid the Oranges'.

"You could have warned me," Eugene said, rubbing his cheek and then embracing the newly arrived visitor. "Guys, this is young lady Augustine Jack is a friend of Stephanie's and is Rick's youngest client. She has just graduated high school and starts acting training in New York in September under the highly acclaimed former actor and trainer Tony Ricardo."

That produced some ooohs but mainly blank stares.

"Perhaps Augustine will entertain us tomorrow during dinner, reading some of the Annette's dialogue from my new play, not yet published, 'The Murderous Socialite'.

There were murmurs of approval.

Eugene introduced Augustine to the men including Rick who kissed her and then the hovering Ross took her over to the younger people and placing an arm around Augustine's waist said, "Guys and gals, meet Augustine who'll answer to the name Blondie."

After midnight that night Ross and his Blondie went for a walk and that's when Augustine lost her virginity, or as she preferred to think of it, she passed into womanhood.

It was uncomfortable, a little messy, but she they had both gone prepared. It was no problem for Augustine; it was uncomfortable simply because she was on her back across a picnic table in a small grove a trees where a stream ran into the lake.

Ross had fumbled a lot but by his voice he didn't appear nervous and was a very wet kisser. Lisa and she had discussed men and Lisa had told her not many appeared adept at being good lovers but fortunately some existed. The downside was one might have to try five or more to find one guy who was great at it.

Augustine decided whatever happened it added to her experiences. His slobbering was much better when he did that over her bared breasts. It somehow made her tingle more and when he began sucking her pussy she almost felt like she was levitating. God it was glorious and she jerked and knew she would be releasing into his mouth but she didn't care; she was trying to suppress her screams and not to rock her head off her shoulders.

She was panting and feeling as if blood was bursting out of her face when Ross asked, "Haven't you every come before?"

"Yes but not like that. God you were wonderful Ross."

He grinned and pulled out his boner. "In that case suck this?"

Although she hadn't allowed anyone to fuck her before this, that is any guy or girlfriend, Augustine knew what to do with a dick so gave it a through drubbing that had Ross hopping about and whining before she squeezed his balls and took a mouthful of cum before spitting it back over him, causing him to look at her in horror and asking, "What's wrong with my cum?"

"I-I haven't learned to swallow."

"Oh yeah. Look if you wish to retain your virginity I can stick it up your ass."

"Really? Er, no thanks. Up my... my..."

"Pussy?"

"Yes please."

"Right hold on baby, here goes. I'm keeping my briefs on in case there is a mess. I'll toss them in a trash bin."

"I hope you mother hasn't sewn your name on them."

"Oh god, has she?"

"It was a joke Ross."

"Blondie I can't believe you are joking at a time like this that must be very traumatic for you, loosing your innocence and all that?"

Augustine yawned. "Get on with it will you. Oh I have a packet of wipes in my pocket."

If Ross broke through anything she didn't feel it. They were in a small amount of light cast by a nearby light on the pathway and afterwards were relieved to find only a small spot of blood on Ross's white briefs and no sign of blood on his dick.

Holding it for the examination, Augustine said, "My juices must have diluted any remains of blood from me and on your dick." She cleaned him with a slippery wipe and as her clenched hand swept the wipe over the knob of his dick Ross jerked and yelled "Jesus: and spurted once again.

They laughed sheepishly and got dressed.

"Bang me again properly when we can find an empty bedroom in the house Ross, perhaps after breakfast this morning when everyone goes for a walk.

"Yeah, great idea. I don't want you thinking what we've had here was a great fuck."

"Oooh, I love the sound of that."

"You're great Blondie. I bet you'll become a magnificent fuck once you learn the ropes. You have to learn to wriggle and squirm and squeeze your cunt muscles and give the groans and squeals and utter the endearments that makes the guy know what he's doing is being appreciated."

"Right, I hear you. And what does the guy do?"

"He concentrates on the job in hand. What else did you think?"

"I really have no idea. Can I be regarded a good lay by guys if I choose not to take it up my butt."

"Perhaps you should ask someone else. I'm probably biased."

Augustine thought that made Ross a really honest guy. His cousin Eloise had warned her to watch Ross because he was a butt man. Augustine was learned enough to know what that meant.

Next day Ross went off with his parents to visit his great-aunt. One of his male cousins invited Augustine on a cross-country walk. She accepted and when two other male cousins joined them Augustine thought she knew what this was about and decided she'd take on all three but only one at the time and they must wear condoms. The experience would be noted in her diary to use in her memoirs.

Back home doing some ironing for Lisa, Augustine thought about her immediate future. Although she promised to hurl herself into drama coaching she would also sample what social life New York had of interest to her, She would avoid getting into tawdry sexual experiences with penniless students. Angela had promised to introduce her to grandsons of her friends and if that didn't work out well she could always have second thoughts about interfacing with penniless students.

Time would be running out for Angela so Augustine promised to spend two hours minimum a day working on the manuscript that thankfully Angela had paid a secretarial service to transcribe electronically. Augustine could load a copy on to her laptop to begin the massive rewrite. She hoped her talent was good enough to get the revised manuscript accepted by Angela's choice of publisher to allow editors to do their job on it. 

Why was she prepared to do that grind for Angela? It was because Angela was the person who'd open doorways for Augustine. Under Angela's patronage, Augustine would be introduced to some of the elite people in New York's theater and film community. It was hopeless for anyone without an influential patron coming to New York and expecting to break into the film and theater society without knowing anyone, without having a reputation and coming from a place say called Ashburton that very few people had ever heard of.

Well she was only eighteen and had it all before her, Augustine gloated. She looked at a photo of Pauline and said, "Mom I promise to give it my best shot."

THE END