In Frederick Carry’s office, Chopin's ‘21 Nocturnes and 26 Preludes’ was playing softly in the background. The large man lay back, letting the music drift through him as he planned yet another day ahead him. Another 18 hours, another hundred miles, so much space to fail or win. It all depended on the decisions he made and the actions he took over the next 18 hours.
Ah …the thrill of the chase. This is what it meant to be alive. And for once, he didn’t have to kill anyone literally to make a killing. He only had to use his brain and sometimes his heart.
He gently rubbed his greying head then reached for his cigar when suddenly - he both smelled and felt someone in the room with him. It was a figure coming from behind - approaching him stealthily. Electric waves pulsed though Frederick’s mind and his hand darted out by reflex to grab the paper weight on the edge of his desk.
At that moment a pair of gloved hands wrapped around his eyes and said. “Guess who?”
Frederick sighed, smiling, and said. “My first guess was going to be Superman, but maybe I should change it to Wonder Woman?”
A voice giggled and the hands wrapped around his chest instead.
“Morning, Daddy.” The voice said, chirpily.
Frederick slowly turned his chair around and faced the lovely blonde girl behind him.
“And to what do I owe this visit from a young maiden?” He smiled lovingly, taking her gloved hand and stroking it. “And why are you dressed to see the Rambo Film festival?”
Marilyn giggled “This outfit makes it easy to hug you!”
“Are you sure that’s the only reason?” Her father winked, unconvinced by her words.
Marilyn sat in her Dad’s lap and hugged him again. “You know my heart belongs to Daddy.” She laughs.
“If I didn’t know my daughter better, I’d think she was asking for a raise in her allowance. In your case though, I’m sure it’s more sinister.”
“Come now, do I come across that way to you?” Marilyn chided. “You know we children are born innocent.”
“Listen Marilyn,” Frederick smiled, his pencil-thin moustache wrinkling a bit in his wry smile. “You’re just like your mother was. As such I can easily say that there’s always something evil behind those feminine wiles of yours.”
“How sad!” Marilyn posed melodramatically. “My father thinks so ill of me…”
Frederick smiled and patted Marilyn’s hands as she stood up and sat down in a chair on the other side of the desk.
“So, is there really a purpose behind this visit, or is this purely social?” Her dad asked interestedly.
“Well, um…kind of.” Marilyn said looking down, her face looking down.
“Oh, oh. What’s the problem?”
“Well...Um...I’m in love.”
“Excellent. Is this supposed to be a bad thing?”
“Not per se. However, it’s getting serious. I...am considering marriage.”
“One of your team?”
“Yes.”
“Which one? Matthew? Pudding? Or the big nice dumb guy?”
Marilyn sighed. “I’ve told you many times Dad. His name's Baron. And um...none of the above.”
Frederick got confused. “Then I don’t understand…”
“Do the math Dad.”
Something akin to understand lit up his eyes eventually, and he then sat up straighter in his chair.
“Marilyn, I’d never deny you a single thing in your life. And I think this girl, Memori, is a sweet girl. However, I urge you to re-think this. Many girls have crushes on one another...”
“This isn’t a schoolgirl crush Dad!”
“And how do you know that Marilyn? Listen, you two spend tons of time together, it’s not unusual for you to feel close but don’t you want to have a good traditional marriage? One that everyone will accept? And to have children of your own…maybe even a son to carry on the Carry legacy? I’m sure Memori has the same feelings.”
Marilyn stood up, feeling fear well-up inside her. She couldn’t give up on this.
“Daddy, you know I love you! And I always will! I don’t want to embarrass you and I always wanted to give you a grandson. But...but...I don’t like guys...in that way! I love Memori! I can settle for a private life with her! I’m even thinking of adopt a son for us to raise, so you have a...”
Frederick scowled.
“This isn’t business Marilyn!” He barked. “Don’t negotiate with me! I want YOU to have lovely children! If I wanted just a boy to jump in then I’d have BLOODY well adopted one years ago. YOU are my only legacy, and I’ve always been proud of you! I know you won’t embarrass me either! I just think that the price you pay for rushing into a marriage choice , ANY marriage, is terrible. And deciding your preference because you two had fun in the sack a couple of times is NOT proof. You may have gotten laid Marilyn, but sex doesn’t last!”
Marilyn was shocked by the language and tone of voice her father was using, and she began to cry into her hands.
Frederick sighed and got up, resting his hand on Marilyn’s shoulder.
“Darling, don’t cry.” He sighed, “If this woman was your lifelong lover then, it would be with misgivings, but I would say yes. I just don’t want you to regret anymore. We need to be through with regrets. Haven’t you considered any of the boys I mentioned?”
Marilyn choked a little on a sob. “None.”
“What about that rich boy with no family...what’s his name?”
“Robert Hadyn...and no thanks Daddy. He’s trouble.”
“Why on Earth do you think that?”
“Ueki said so. And Ueki knows him fairly well. And Ueki doesn’t lie.”
“Yes, I heard Ueki was a good lad. So why not...”
“He’s GOT someone, Daddy. And we’re good friends, but there’s no attraction.”
“And none of your boys attract you?”
“They’re lovely boys Dad; but no, they don’t attract me in that way.”
“When did you and Memori realize you loved one another?”
“I’ve always felt a little special...”
“Answer the question! The first time you two really felt the pull.”
Marilyn looked down. “Last night. We...um...met up at a 'girl only' bar.”
Frederick sighed. “I don’t need to state how I feel about that. Marilyn, you went to a bar, met your friend, and the two of you encountered something you never had before. You know how many stories there are like that?”
“It’s real Dad!”
“Maybe Marilyn, however everyone else feels that way too. I just don’t want you to make a decision you’ll regret later! Promise me, Marilyn, you’ll wait half a year. IF by the time it passes, you and Memori are able to live together and still feel the need to make it lasting, I’ll accept you two as a couple.”
Marilyn smiled a little, sniffling. “Okay Dad.”
He softly put his hand under her chin and smiled. “Now smile Marilyn, I need to see that smile of yours every day before I can start work. I promise, if you two prove that this is real, I’ll not stand in your way.”
Marilyn nodded and stood up, hugging her dad softly. He slowly wrapped his arms around her.
“I AM glad it’s not Pudding or Baron. I would have gotten a neck ache talking to either of them.”
“Matthew would have given you an earache.” Marilyn responded, giggling slightly.
