Daughters of the American Evolution -- Amanda
This story is part of a series called "Daughters of the American Evolution." The stories are all based on the concept of an allegedly sinister (some say beneficent) organization called 'Families Interaction Therapists', or FIT, that has put into action a plan to subliminally convert every female on earth to lesbianism, and to non-violently reduce the number of men on earth by 98%.
Amanda's story is a sequel to Eve's story of how it began....
*
Amanda Meerpol was shopping at David Jones in Melbourne, when a slim young woman with long, blonde hair reached across her for a silk blouse hanging on the rack. It seemed a little bit of a stretch, as there were similar blouses closer to the woman - girl, really - but Amanda didn't really think that much of it. A Muzak version of Ace of Base's 'The Sign', composed for violin, was playing softly over the department store's PA system.
"That's a rather lovely shirt, do you think?" the girl commented. Her soft words belied her expression, rather much like a cat ready to pounce.
"Yes, it is," Amanda said.
"It would look nice on you, with your eyes and complexion," the girl commented.
"Do you think so?" Amanda replied, surprised. She was used to not being noticed, in spite of the fact that her family was one of the wealthiest in Australia. She had been raised by her parents to be an independent thinker, a strong young woman, and to maintain the highest standards of conduct. In the early months of 1996, there was less of the appetite for personal notoriety that we experience today among the wealthy young. Amanda much preferred keeping a low profile, though her social life suffered for it.
In addition, Amanda was hardly a striking beauty. Handsome is the usual term, and it was expected that eventually, the twenty three year old would find a young man to marry, and continue the Meerpol line. Her parents, Alexander and Victoria would expect no less, being entirely staid and conventional, but devoted to each other and to their daughter Amanda, and a younger brother, Simon, aged sixteen.
Amanda was hardly ugly. But her 'thick' body - just not quite thin enough in the waist, with small breasts and hips too big, but ass too small, made her look awkward and cow-like when compared to the daughters of other wealthy folk. And although her nose, much too big for a debutante, could be fixed with plastic surgery, she was horrified by the idea of cutting into her body just to make herself superficially better. Her hair, at least, was quite presentable, a glossy and thick auburn, long and wavy, resting lightly on her shoulders like a lover's touch.
But those who were graced by Amanda's smile often described it as nearly beatific, and her green eyes were angelic. When she smiled, her eyes lighting up, superficial 'magazine' beauties couldn't hold a candle to her. Combined with her sweet, generous nature, she was sure to find a very worthy beau, when the time came.
Her parents supported her totally. They knew how important it was that she develop her inner beauty, rather than make exterior and superficial changes. They all agreed that her teeth did need some cosmetic straightening, though, and so all the Meerpols supported her getting braces. While they would result in a much nicer smile, eventually, the metal braces did cause her overall look temporarily to suffer a bit. It was a minor setback to her self confidence.
It was to the credit of Amanda and her parents, that in spite of these exterior issues, she had grown up to become a sweet and loving young woman, though, it must be conceded, one whose social calendar had some rather glaring vacancies.
Amanda was in many ways, what many think that a woman should be - less interested in superficial things, and more interested in being a good person. Her charitable efforts alone were truly noteworthy, and her kindness to those with less than she possessed was inspiring.
Amanda had secured a position as a features reporter for the Melbourne Penny Saver, a local paper chock a block full of ads, and miscellaneous articles as filler. Although not yet a paying position, she felt that it might help her to get a full-time place at the paper eventually. It was charming that she chose that route to a career, in light of the fact that her father could have bought the paper several times over, and not missed the money.
Amanda had already experienced a few attempts by gold-digging men to get their hooks into her family's fortunes. She and her parents were ever on guard for the depredations of such men.
Amanda smiled at the young woman, noticing that she was rather attractive, if a little rough-edged.
"Thank you, that's very sweet," Amanda said.
"Oh, but it's true," the girl replied, smiling herself. "Would you be interested in a spot of tea? I have a coupon..."
Amanda was intrigued by a shopper at DJ's, as it was known by Australians, producing a coupon for tea, as inexpensive as it was already, and thought she might have an interesting story to tell. Perhaps one that she could adapt for the Penny Saver. Why...perhaps she had gotten her coupon from the Penny Saver!
"Surely," she responded. Holding out her hand, she said, "My name's Amanda."
"Pleased to meet you," the girl replied. "I'm Ellen."
* * * *
The two hit it off immediately. Amanda had never met another woman who was so interested in hearing what SHE had to say. She went on and on about her life, her desires and her hopes for the future for so long, that she feared she might have bored poor Ellen to death.
"Oh dear, I don't think I've ever talked about myself so much!" Amanda sighed. "Please, enough about me...please tell me about yourself, Ellen."
Ellen protested that there really wasn't that much to tell, but that she'd recently left her job working with animal care, and was looking for employment elsewhere, and that in the meantime she was casting about for volunteer work she might do with animal rescues.
"Oh! Do you really mean it?" Amanda exclaimed.
"Yes, I'm quite fond of animals, particularly dogs," Ellen replied.
"What a wonderful coincidence," Amanda said, clasping her hands together. "I volunteer for a canine rescue shelter - we take in all sorts of pooches - oh, say that you'll come work with us, please!"
"Well...I suppose I could..." Ellen allowed. "But just until I find a real, paying job," she warned.
"Oh goodness, you needn't worry about that. I'm certain we can find you something you'll like." Amanda's eyes and smile really were quite lovely, and Ellen could see that in her as the wealthy young woman took Ellen's hands in hers.
"I just KNOW we'll be great friends!" Amanda gushed.
"I'm certain that you're correct," Ellen said, smiling herself.
* * * *
It was no more than a week after their tea, that Ellen and Amanda met again, this time at the 'Heeler Sanctuary', the canine shelter to which Amanda introduced Ellen. It was after a few shared lunches that Amanda experienced a slight fever, and odd, jumbled dreams. Fortunately, Ellen volunteered to come over of an evening, and see that Amanda was put to bed and her apartment put right.
"You're such a dear," Amanda sighed, as Ellen sat by her bedside, a cool, moist flannel on Amanda's forehead. "I have no idea where I caught this flu, or cold, or whatever..."
"I believe there's something going around," Ellen said confidently. "I'm sure you'll be fine, and back on your feet anytime now."