If there was a biography about you, what would the title be?
Of course Paige Turner could be a sleuth private detective living by her wits in downtown Los Angeles,saving her World one clue at a time.
Or indeed as I originally envisaged she could be a lady sitting on a shared piano stool turning music notation pages for a forgetful piano player in a sleazy bar in Soho.
Either way, Page Turner seems a good title for an everywoman or everyman biography.I suppose we all do it.
Happy Valentine’s Day.Namaste and Thank you for reading.
Feck, my parents were brilliant wonderful people, and what does age matter. Life takes it’s toll and my father never reached my age and my mother was heartbroken he was no longer by her side for the rest of her life. That influenced me a lot.
It’s life, and all I have is memories of both of them. They were hardworking and intelligent people who made the most of the choices life gave them.
I assume this post is aimed at younger people and that what their parents did when their parents were young is important.
I see it slightly differently , we all have a life to live and we can’t or should not follow in others footsteps, that was the lesson my parents taught me. They were individuals, they choose a path and they encouraged others. What they were doing at my age is irrelevant.
Back in your box, algorithm!
😉 Thank you for reading. Namaste and may your Sentient Being Be With You.
Allenby’s career was in shreds, once his methods entered the Public Domain.. He was indicted for murder in at least 30 Countries. The legal cases alone would keep him occupied for a lifetime. The Court of Human Rights in the Hague would deal with the High Level Health Officials from many Countries who had also been involved in aiding and abetting Allenby.
It was an immense task, but the evidence and the stories of those affected were prolific and all were united against Allenby’s Eugenic Policy. Most of the Professor’s staff turned against him as they were unaware of his torture and denaturing policy, they had been convinced that the Professor was saving the World.
Meanwhile, in the UK , due to Sandy’s Documentary and the outrage it generated. There was a rapid change in the Archaic Eugenics Laws that had been introduced and within three weeks , Alex was able to come home to his family. Alex is growing up to be a strong and confident child and his prognosis has improved thanks to the work of Dr King and his fellow researchers.
Gerry and Millie consulted with Dr King and decided to try for a baby. A few years down the line they had a girl and a boy. Dr King’s research was helpful in making their decision and he continued his Medical Career as he always intended, to cure and help people.
The film came to life on the big screen ,the audience were very keen to see what the fuss was all about. They were immediately impressed by the stunning images of Allenby’s Establishment and the glass fronted buildings, that filled the screen. The beautiful mountains that surrounded the facility had been captured by drone footage, it was a truly stunning image.
Sandy appeared as the presenter looking so much healthier in the film than she had when she collected her award. She began to talk about her experience and said that it was her second visit to Allenby’s Institute and they were taking the opportunity to follow up on some of the events that she had seen on her first visit and that she hoped to gather the evidence that would portray her experience and the Research that was being pursued by Allenby and his team into the human genome.
Gerry, Allenby and Millie were all seated in the front row together as the film started.
As the film progressed Gerry began to sense Allenby’s unease, he was becoming more and more agitated. It was not the film that Allenby imagined.
After the initial introduction, the aims, objectives and most importantly the methods employed by Allenby became obvious and increasingly morbid and dark. The body toll mounted and the footage was unforgiving. The images of interrogation and torture that had been secretly filmed were upsetting , and the audience found it repulsive and some of them were in obvious distress.
Dr King’s role was explained in detail and the operation to help him escape was described. At this point Allenby tried to get up and leave, but a nearby Security Guard persuaded him to sit back down again.
Allenby turned to Gerry ” You’ll pay for this Gerry, I assure you. I have very powerful friends.”
Millie looked quizzically at Gerry as the Security Guard glared at Allenby and held his hand on his shoulder.
” Get off me .” He muttered, but had to sheepishly sit down. The audience noted the confrontation and recognised the Professor as one of the protagonists in the torture scenes. Allenby’s entourage were scattered among the auditorium and could not assist him, some indeed were learning for the first time the type of man that they were working for.
Dr King’s worn face appeared on the screen. Sandy had not seen this footage as it had been filmed in Japan. Sandy and Martin had moved out of their seats and went back to the Green Room.
” I was held prisoner in Professor Allenby’s establishment. I was not there under my own free will. I was captured and kidnapped from where I was working with children I had in my care . They are probably dead now, we will never know what happened to most of them. The Professor and his like decided that they were an inconvenience and all trace of them must be eradicated from the planet because their D.N.A. does not match the profile for the future envisaged by people like Allenby. I am a doctor, I treat illness and I am an expert geneticist, I do not destroy because I cannot cure.”
Dr King continued speaking
” Professor Allenby is acting like God. There is no such thing as perfection in Humanity. Genetics the good and the bad are part of us and of our future. I have friends and colleagues who have been tortured and killed by Professor Allenby and his associates for beliefs that I don’t understand. He’s killed healthy people who disagreed with him. He and what he stands for is the real danger to us. I am very lucky to have got out alive. “
“We tried to save as many children as we could , but we were mercilessly hunted down, pursued. Fortunately , we have our backers too, and thanks to them we have been able to save some children. Without those good people, this young man would not be alive today. Say hello Alex.”
Alex climbed onto Dr King’s lap. He smiled and waved at the camera.
The audience gasped and some began to cry.
“Alex has a genetically inherited disease passed on through one of his parents. At the moment there is no known cure. I was making good progress with his treatment, which was interrupted when I was captured , but we’re back on course now. You’re feeling a lot better , aren’t you Alex?”
” Yes, thank you , I do feel a lot better.” Alex looked up at Dr King.
” Alex’s mother is Sandy , the journalist who bravely investigated and made this film. Alex was taken from her as a baby and would have been “denatured” had our Organisation not stepped him and saved him. Our actions are not illegal or a danger to the future of this planet. We are behaving as Human Beings should.”
Alex tugged at Dr King’s arm and said.
” Can I say hello to mummy and daddy now. Dr King”.
“Yes of course you can.”
Alex , waved and blew a kiss to the camera.
” Hello Mummy and Daddy, I’m looking forward to seeing you soon.”
Some of the audience had tears running down their faces and Gerry realised that Professor Allenby could be in danger from the crowd. Meanwhile Sandy and Martin were hugging each other.
“Martin , he’s safe with Dr King , we couldn’t hope for better!” Sandy cried.
Suddenly Gerry walked into the Green Room.
“Sandy , Alex is safe now and Allenby’s question and answer session has been cancelled. Professor Allenby has left the building. The crowd were very angry, there’s a lot of influential people out there. They don’t like child killers.” Gerry put his arms around Sandy and Martin.
Millie had followed Gerry, she had tears in her eyes. She stood quietly and looked at the group silently and moved gently forward towards Sandy. Sandy looked at her and unfolded herself , she gently touched Martin’s face and wiped her eyes with her fingers and turned to Millie to talk to her.
” Sandy that was an amazing, a brilliant piece. I didn’t know about any of it, Gerry told me nothing. I don’t suppose he could have. It wouldn’t have been safe for you or your little boy. “
“No , Mills, you’re right.”
” Allenby told me that Gerry was the carrier.” The tears ran down her eyes.
“What?” Sandy didn’t know what to say.
” Alex is his son.”
” Yes. Millie , you’ve guessed right, but what happened was way before you and Gerry , remember Alex is almost five now.” Sandy thought it best to be forthright.
” Oh I know what an alley cat Gerry was . I’m glad something good has come out of his antics. He did have a dreadful reputation. ” She laughed.” I only got him because he was getting old and tired.”
Gerry overheard her and looked around, he took his arm off of Martin’s shoulder, unsure what was going to happen next. He had been neglecting Millie recently.
“Mills, what are you saying ? I’m a burnt out old man?”
Millie looked across at him and smiled. “Bit singed maybe?”
“Thanks.” Gerry looked deflated as he began to explain.
“I’m sorry I had to keep it all under wraps, the less people who knew, the better chance I had of pulling it off. Sandy didn’t even know the whole story , you just weren’t well enough.” He looked at Sandy.
“No I wasn’t , Gerry, you have done a wonderful job and I’m grateful.”
” There’s going to be a lot more work to do now, I don’t think you’ll be able to do all the travelling involved Sandy. Perhaps Millie could take it on now.”
Sandy nodded her head in agreement and said ” Yes, Gerry , that’s a good idea, but it’s always the same with you, work, work , work. What I want to know is when I can have Alex back in my arms again. I think he’s just found himself a new Auntie, Auntie Millie.”
Millie looked at Sandy.
” I’d love that , you read my mind Sandy!. It will be great practice for when we have our own. Allenby told me that you are a carrier Gerry , and as the Law stands we can’t have children. That has got to change.”
” You saw the audience Gerry , there was a lot of anger there about what has been happening.” She looked Gerry straight in the eye and said . “Nobody is going to say I can’t have a baby with you.”
Gerry could not filibuster his way out of this as he normally would and just rush off to another meeting.
Despite her frailty, Sandy rallied and gently took them aside and spoke to them about Dr King and how wonderful he was.
After they had listened to Sandy , Gerry realised Sandy was extremely tired and said to Martin that perhaps it was a good time to take her home. They went to get their things.
Gerry and Millie later discussed what they needed to do.
” I’ll set up a meeting with Dr King, but we have to have a change in the Law before we can get him and Alex over here. I need you to keep the momentum going on this Millie. There’s going to be some fallout. Allenby will be in touch with his powerful friends and will now be working on destroying our story. I need my little Miss Dynamite out there.”
Millie noticed that Sandy and Martin were just leaving , she put her hand on Sandy’s thin shoulder.
” Yes , I’ll follow through on your work, we’ll nail those bastards to the wall.”
Gerry looked appreciatively at Millie, he had always admired her feistiness.
The four of them said goodnight and Martin and Sandy went out to the chauffer car that Gerry had organised to take them home.
Gerry in his role as a Senior Manager had been doing the rounds at the Awards Ceremony, keeping everyone sweet and networking with people he knew in the Industry. This included keeping Millie’s parents happy too. They were very pleased with him as a son-in-law, he had made Millie very happy and that was the thing that their money could not buy. He was about to leave them after some small talk , when Millie appeared beside him.
“Hey Babe” He put his arm around her waist.” You’re doing a great job I don’t know what I’d do without you Mills.” He looked at Millie lovingly.
Millie nodded to her parents and pulled Gerry away.
“Gerry , these people are so boring , I feel like my head is going to explode. I hope you’ve got time for me tonight. I’ve been missing you.”
Millie was almost pleading, she wanted children and she had been hinting for a long time.
Gerry winked.
“Tonight might just be your lucky night , my little Minx.”
Millie smiled wickedly. She knew he meant it.
They both winked at each other and parted company. Gerry turned to head back to the green room.
Millie disappeared into the crowd. Gerry just caught her voice saying to a tall dark man with a beard.
“Raymond, so when are you doing a casting for your new project?”
Gerry lost sight of Millie in the crowd.
When Gerry reached the Green Room, they were just making the announcement for the Winner of The Documentary Category. As expected Sandy had won.
And the Winner is “Sunshine Media’s Gene Power”
Sandy and Martin had moved out of the Green Room and were waiting in the wings, so Martin took Sandy’s hand and they both walked on stage. Martin wasn’t really supposed to be there but with Sandy being so frail he had decided it was best. When they reached the presenter of the Award they both smiled and as the presenter handed it over to Sandy, she felt the weight of it in her hand and her arm fell towards the ground. Martin just managed to grab her wrist and lift it back up and they both lifted it to eye level with the audience. There was a murmur of concern from the audience , but a sense of relief when they saw that disaster had been averted. Those of them who knew Sandy wondered at her frailty .
“Sandy would you like to say a few words?” It was expected and Sandy with the little energy she could muster, moved unsteadily towards the microphone. She raised the award slightly and said “Thank You” and smiled at the audience and then turned and kissed Martin, the audience erupted in cheers and clapping. As Sandy and Martin left the stage, the Presenter announced that there would be a full screening of “Gene Power” shortly and that Professor Allenby would be available for a short question and answer session afterwards.
Gerry who was now standing with Allenby in the wings said.
” I hope you like it, I’m sure it’s going to generate a lot of interest, we’ll be syndicating it.” Allenby motioned to Gerry to move out of the way as Sandy and Martin passed by.
“That’s good news , we need to keep the Public behind us. Keep the trouble makers quiet.” but Allenby was distracted , he wanted to talk to Sandy, he wanted to share her triumph with her.
Gerry had to act fast, he took the Professor by the arm and pulled him towards the viewing area. He knew the Professor was very annoyed and was about to remonstrate with him. However, Millie appeared out of nowhere and enthusiastically congratulated Allenby, so Martin and Sandy had a chance to get by without Allenby stopping them.
” It’s so important the work that you do, and how wonderful that you are here tonight, I’m so looking forward to the film.” Millie gushed enthusiastically
“Thank you” Allenby said , distracted by Millie’s beautiful eyes and figure.
“We must head to our seats now ” Gerry interrupted ” The screening will start in five minutes.”
Gerry couldn’t help but wonder how Millie had appeared so quickly, but Millie had sensed Sandy’s reluctance to spend any more time than necessary with Professor Allenby . Millie had no idea why, but she thought that some extra congratulations wouldn’t go amiss for the high achieving Professor and it would give Sandy and Martin a chance to reach their seats before the Professor could monopolise them, or even worse try and sit beside them.
Sandy and Martin disappeared into the audience, while Gerry, Millie ,the Professor and his entourage took seats in the front row to watch the film.
Well it has to be The Little House on The Prairie(An American T.V. Drama Series from the 1970’s).
The story of the rural comfort of a hardworking farming community in a sandy dry like dessert land that nothing much grew in.
Everyone ,at least on T.V. , played their part in feeding ,clothing and watering themselves and their small holding .
There were rattlesnakes and flu could kill you,but mama made the best apple pie and always looked nice in her worn out apron and her hair and make up.
Disaster came in the form of big corporations and Bank Loans that forced them to sell their land to big Corporations and move their families to the city to work in the newly expanding car factories.
Their memories of that idyllic rural life kept them going.
Such dreams can only be generated by American TV series of the 70’s.They were so influential and perhaps misleading They gave us our dreams though .
The tension in the Green Room was palpable. Sandy’s thoughts were however focused on coming face to face with Allenby again. Sandy didn’t care who received the Awards. Martin would be by her side and he had no intention of letting Allenby near her. However, Sandy knew that would be impossible and that Allenby would approach her. She had to stay calm and appear as normal as possible. It would be difficult.
There were a lot of people gathered in the Green Room. There was enough food and drink to feed them all five times over. Fortunately , as time passed and the various Prizes were announced and the Awards distributed the crowd thinned and Martin and Sandy were able to make their way to the delicious buffet. Martin was ravenous, so he helped himself to a plate and made his choice. Sandy held her plate in her hand and tentatively chose a couple of hors de oeuvres which she began to nibble.
She laughed as Martin began to shovel food into his mouth. “Stop it Martin, slow down.” she chided.
However, Martin stopped eating altogether and put his plate down.
“What’s up?” Sandy whispered in his ear.
“It’s him, he’s here.”
“Pick that plate up now, we ‘ve got to pretend there’s nothing wrong.” Sandy picked up Martin’s plate and handed it back to him.
Martin held the plate of food in his hand as he watched Gerry and Allenby enter the Green Room , they were followed by Allenby’s entourage . The room was full to the brim again.
“Help yourself to our meagre fayre”. Gerry announced. Plenty for everyone. I’m just going to check on a few details at the front, so relax and enjoy, we’ve got a tight programme and I don’t expect we’ll hear anything for about half an hour and we may over run depending on the speeches.
Gerry left the room and Martin watched as Allenby moved towards one of the drinks table accompanied by a tall young man in a blue suit. Martin placed a vol-au-vent to his lips, it felt dry and crumbly in his mouth, he had suddenly lost his appetite, but he popped it in his mouth nevertheless and with his free hand he touched Sandy’s shoulder to reassure her. She was beginning to tense up and she put her plate down on the table. She couldn’t eat anything.
Martin watched as Allenby poured himself some water and spoke firmly to the man in the blue suit who rapidly left the green room, nodding and gesturing that whatever Allenby wanted would be done.
Martin looked at Sandy and caught her attention momentarily, she looked away when she heard Allenby’s voice and she froze. Martin took her hand in his.
“It’s alright Martin, I’m fine.” Sandy said.
A sound of raucous, loud applause coming from the main stage area reverberated through the room. It was the announcement of one of the Acting Awards, it garnered quite a few people’s attention in the Green Room, so much so that with the milling and cooing of the crowd Martin didn’t notice Allenby making his way behind Sandy and suddenly touching her shoulder.
” Hello Sandy, such a long time since we’ve seen each other, have you been out of circulation? I’ve tried calling you, but all your numbers have changed.”
Sandy didn’t flinch , but she twisted gently and moved so that the Professor’s hand was left mid air and she turned to face him.
“Oh we do that quite regularly, it’s Industry Standard, otherwise I’d get pestered night and day, particularly as it looks like our Documentary is going to win the top spot. ” Sandy said matter-of-factly.
” Yes, Gerry seems very confident. I saw some exerts in the editing suite, I would have like to have seen a preview, unfortunately we ran out of time and Gerry said it was bad luck anyway. How have you been keeping?”
Sandy wanted to scream at Allenby, but she kept her cool.
” Oh I’m fine , took a while to get over the virus. Funny, Gerry comes out with all sorts of things, bad luck nonsense, it’s really because our Industry has so much loose talk, it’s hard to keep anything secret. It looks like we’re on to a winner with your facility and it’s work. You will join us on stage won’t you. I’ve just got to make a quick phone call to my baby sitter, so we’ll catch up later.
She took Martin by the arm.
” Come on, just want to remind the twins to watch us on T.V. , I promised them they could stay up and watch.” She looked at Martin and both of them moved quickly away from Allenby. Martin smiled as he left Allenby standing. Allenby was briefly distracted by the sound on an overhead screen, he watched and listened as a young actor made an earnest thank you speech. Allenby turned and looked at the food on the table, he brusquely turned his back and took out his mobile phone and begun to make a call. He ended the call abruptly and turned again to look up at the screen. He kept watching the Award proceedings for a few moments, until his Mobile phone bleeped, he looked at it .
thenotsomightyom 