Chapter 1
Right-thinking people of the mineral-rich Republic of Oceanpacifica were shocked when the
Freedom Guardian
published the riveting picture of the President's wife, The Most Honorable the Marchioness of Fitzroy, fully unclothed. The big shock was Lady Magnolia was pictured in the arms of another woman, on her back and also unclothed.
The reaction throughout the nation was, in short, 'Ohmigod!'
Public focus soared from ass to hotly debated discussion about the morality of the country's leading lady, although in truth she was relatively unknown to the masses even in the capital Freedom, formerly known as New Wimbledon. The media slammed into the fray like blowflies over a carcass. The resultant headlines in the
Echo
newspaper that afternoon and introductory sentences on radio and TV news bulletins ranged from inclusion of solemn wordage, 'End of an Era of Proprietary' to a frivolous, 'What The Marchioness of Fitzroy Does Next Will be Interesting'.
Immediately the conservative
Echo
called on the absent President, the Marquess of Fitzroy, to resign. Most of the media, mindful of their need for public support, took up the common cudgel and brayed, "Resign Lord Fitzroy!" Not one of those chest-beaters pondered over what perhaps was the imponderable: how does one resign from a lifetime appointment?
It was obvious to everyone that the country had a real stink on its hands but perhaps not without a twist. Aware it was heading the pack by breaking the story, the
Guardian
rushed out a one-page 'late extra edition' that left the pack in disarray. In 250-point type the heading screamed,
Why?
The publisher-editor Jim Gee -- widely known as 'Scurrilous Jim' -- wrote:
Why should the President, the Marquess of Fitzroy, resign? He's done nothing wrong apart from marrying the embarrassing woman. Lord Fitzroy, a self-made industrialist, has amassed a near exemplary political career and has made this former British Colony the influential powerhouse in international affairs that it is today. Adult males of this nation drool over The Lady Magnolia when lucky enough to glimpse her, until now always fully clothed I hasten to add. Women of this nation perhaps regard her as a role model in femininity, and grace -- and dare I say -- smoldering sexuality. So don't even castigate her. Just acknowledge she was unlucky to be caught out and forgive her if she humbly says she's sorry.
The main Opposition party called for an immediate Commission of Inquiry while Speaker of the House in consultation with the Prime Minister Sir Max Wallace, put Parliament into recess. The Armed Services, in consultation with the Police, acted under National Emergency Legislation to prepare to impose a 9:00 pm to dawn curfew and ban any further publication or formal public discussion relating in any way to the scandal. The commanders waited, poised at the ready, for their Commander-in-Chief and paramount leader of the island nation, who was on official business in England, to order them into action.
* * *
The Marquess Fitzroy, in southern England attending a reunion at his old school, was in the communal showers engaged in a knotted towel fight when his red-faced private secretary rushed in, almost oblivious to the red-welted backsides and swinging penises. Kitty Loveridge delivered news of his crisis back home. Within ninety minutes Lord Fitzroy, Kitty and entourage were aboard Oceanpacifica-1 winging their way home at 600-plus mph.
"This is such a damn shame Gerry (Gerald)," Kitty sympathized and the President groaned and said his mother had warned him not to have anything to do with the over-sexed bitch.
"Well really she had little choice, having promised you not to commit adultery with any of your pals while we were away."
"I blame you for that Kitty," Gerry told the 36-year-old brunette, or more correctly currently brunette. "You were there when I extracted that promise from her. You should have told me to rephrase my statement and have her promise not to commit adultery with anyone."
"Sorry sir."
"Well, it's done now. We have the more important issue to deal with of how to cover our backsides. Remember, if my funding is cut by an outraged Government your career is as good as over in the Public Service."
Kitty replied frostily, "I'm more aware of that than you are Lord Fitzroy."
"Oh come on Kitty, you won't think straight if you get uptight. Please call in my other advisers and let's work on strategy."
The face of the 59-year-old President became even more crinkled when he sighed and against the backdrop of gold and blue aircraft dΓ©cor watched the curvaceous mid-rear of his trusted lieutenant sway from side to side as Kitty went through the doorway of his private cabin. He'd gotten his hands around those cheeks a couple of times only to have her turn him into a shriveling wimp, Kitty frightening him off by snapping, "I'm gay Lord Fitzroy." He knew of course that was a lie but a woman snapping that curse right in one's face rather deflates one.
The entourage of both sexes privately acknowledged when Kitty approached them they were looking at the best pair of breasts in the entire Government Service. Her eyes focused on Dr Timothy Drum who unconsciously switched to look at the ceiling to avoid torturing himself by eyeing her masterpieces.
With typical efficiency Kitty said, "The boss is in deep shit and it's up to us to collectively extricate him. Timothy, as chief spin-doctor, we appoint you to lead the fight back in advising our illustrious leader. Cathy, you sit next to Lord Fitzroy and hold his hand under the table. Richard you keep muttering that this is our first real opportunity to shaft our political foes by ensuring the people abandon those detractors in significant numbers to support their beleaguered President."
The other principal manager, media liaison officer Megan Ryan, asked what Kitty what were her orders.
Not one keen for a female to hold such an influential post where walking a tightrope was 50% of the skill required for medial liaison, Kitty said charmingly, "Organize coffee and follow us in."
During that leg before stopping to refuel and re-provision, the strategies and management plan was worked out to the satisfaction of Gerry. Itinerary and resources manager Cathy Jones stayed behind to apply vinegar to the towel knot welts on the President's ass, as he wanted them gone before he next exposed himself to his flesh-licking wife. Most of the others went to sleep while Kitty and principal speechwriter Duncan McClure worked on the President's speech to be delivered at the airport and then his statement to the House (Parliament). Kitty then went back in, ordered Cathy to dress and they returned to their respective seats, now reconfigured into beds.
Yawning and checking her breasts for lumps, as it was Sunday evening her usual check night at home, Kitty smiled and thought how well everything was going. This 'massive' upset would be off the boil within a week but thanks to naughty Magnolia it would weaken the Government to mould the Opposition leftists into a more formidable body at the parliamentary General Election provided they didn't implode to destroy their chance of presenting a united front. Oh Magnolia, she sighed, your flaky husband has not yet worked out how your misdemeanor can be worked fully to his advantage. Sweetie, he may also decide you have to go.
Two black and orange jet fighters scrambled to fly 100 miles out and escort Oceanpacifica-1 to the Fitzroy Air Force Base, named after the celebrated American-trained aviator young Lieutenant Mark Stanton who in 1920 flew country's only aircraft to sink the cruiser HMS London amid its defense flotilla during the abortive British invasion against the rebels. That triumph at sea led to the nation's negotiated independence four years later. Although Pacifica Colony was renamed Oceanpacifica and became a republic on Independence Day, it remained a member of the British Commonwealth. Mark Stanton became the Marquess of Fitzroy on the death of his father in England and his son Gerry Stanton at the age of twenty-nine gained the title on the death of his father and the grateful nation appointed Gerry to succeeded his celebrated father as President.
In a private room at the airport, in the presence of only Kitty and two bodyguards, the contrite Lady Fitzroy and the President effected their reconciliation in a quite touching meeting, very touching in fact. Kitty pulled out a tube of thick bright red lipstick which she used to cover over Lady Fitzroy's lip gloss and then positioned her correctly to kiss each of her husband's cheeks, pushing Magnolia's head down a mite so that the lipstick imprint didn't appear too perfect.
"Is there need for this?" moaned the President and was told by his 34-four year old blonde wife of almost two years to shut up and listen to his top aide.