I was told to come in discreetly, via the staff entrance, so I knew that she'd heard, but I was surprised when Charlotte Higginbotham opened the door herself.
"Leister's Day off?" I asked.
"He's out front, dealing with the press."
"The press? I don't understand."
"Your sister is here."
"What? Why? What's going on? I'm just here to give you a progress report on Maddie."
She rolled her eyes and literally shoved me through the door. "Get inside, before you're seen, Jason!"
I was confused. How was this my Lady Chardonnay? I'd never seen her behave this way before.
Trying to sound nonchalant, I said, "Relax, Dad's lawyers will sort it out. They always do."
"Not this time, Jason. Lindsay used tax payers' money. The state wants it back."
"Elizabeth, why are you here, and why are you calling Dad by his first name?"
"Don't call me Elizabeth, Jason. It's Isabeau, now. Isabeau Chardonnay."
"That's just your stage name, Lizzie!"
"No. No it isn't. I had it changed legally the moment I realised I wasn't really a Sturrock."
"What are you on about Eliz- er, Isabeau?"
Mrs. Higginbotham sighed. "Sit down Jason."
I sat.
Pursing her lips so that they practically disappeared, she asked, "Well, Isabeau, shall I tell him, or would you prefer to?"
Leaning forward in my seat, I said, "I don't care who tells me, just tell me. What's going on?"
"Do you want the short or long version?" Isabeau asked, thoroughly enjoying herself.
"LIZZIE!"
Mrs. Higginbotham poured herself a cup of tea. With another audible sigh, she said, "I think you'd better go with the short version, dear." Raising the cup to her lips, she took a generous sip before continuing. "Mmm, can't have him bursting a blood vessel. I've just had the rug cleaned."
"If one of you doesn't tell me within the next thirty seconds, the blood on the rug may not be my own!" I snapped.
Exhaling, Isabeau blurted out, "Dad's gay, mum's his beard. They've never consummated their marriage, They're not our biological parents. We're adopted. We're not related. Phyllis is divorcing Lindsay. The end!"
It took a moment for her words to sink in. It had to be a joke. I looked at my sister, then at Mrs Higginbotham. Neither was laughing.
"I can understand that Mum's finally had enough but... Dad...gay? No way! What about all the women? What about Bethany?" I protested.
"An act, Jason. All carefully orchestrated," Mrs Higginbotham said.
"Lindsay's even better at acting than I am," Isabeau remarked.
"No... Impossible... How?" I felt as though I'd somehow fallen into an alternative reality.
"Have some afternoon tea, Jason. It will calm your nerves." Mrs Higginbotham gestured towards the three-tiered plate of sumptuous treats beside her. "I have your favourite, vanilla slice." She coaxed in a sing-song voice, as if tempting a fussy toddler to eat.
For the first time in my life, I ignored her, remaining focused on the woman I thought was my biological sister. "You knew, didn't you?" I accused.
Isabeau simply shrugged. I wanted to break her shoulders.
"When did you learn about this, Lizzie?" I asked, more calmly than I felt.
"In my last year at school. I caught him making out with Mr Templeton," she replied.
"Your drama teacher?"
"Yep! I confronted him, said I was telling mum. That's when he 'fessed up and explained their weird arrangement... He said that if I kept my mouth shut, he'd get me into the National Institute of Dramatic Arts."
"You'd have gotten into N.I.D.A without his help, Isabeau. You have a gift," Mrs. Higginbotham said.
"Thank you, Charlotte, but there's a lot of talent out there. The competition is insane, and you know they only take a few each year...
"Lindsay was guaranteeing me entry, so I kept my mouth shut. It was the right decision for me. I learnt recently, that they'd only auditioned N.I.DA graduates for my current role. If I hadn't gotten into N.I.D.A, I wouldn't have even gotten an audition. So, yeah... I wasn't saying anything.
"I always knew he'd bribed and cajoled to get ahead, but... I don't know, I assumed, he was using his own money, or that he had some sort of side hustle."
She paused. Looking from me to Mrs. Higginbotham and back again. "Like whatever it is you two have going on... I honestly didn't think Lindsay was stupid enough to actually use government money."
"They'll have to prove that." I said.
Isabeau threw her hands up, clearly frustrated with me. "They have proved it, numbskull!"
"You obviously haven't seen this morning's paper, Jason." Mrs. Higginbotham's lips disappeared again.
Isabeau lost it. "It's not just the papers. It's all over the TV. He's already been charged. Grand theft larceny. He used the money to lavish gifts on his homosexual lover!"
"No way!"
"How can you not know this, Jason? Have you been under a rock for the past twenty-four hours? Where the bloody hell have you been? You probably don't even have a job any more!"
"I've been up at the Maconochie farm, seeing Madeline. It's a fucking eight hours drive!"
"And you didn't think to turn on the radio, to check the news?"
"I was listening to Led Zeppelin!"
"For eight fucking hours?"
"I didn't think he'd be charged. I didn't expect... I mean grand theft larceny. He must've misappropriated more than I thought. I -"
"BLOOD HELL! YOU KNEW HE WAS STEALING?"
"Enough, both of you!" Mrs. Higginbotham interjected. "I'm afraid Your father's scandal affects all of us... Isabeau, I don't want you attending the Logies."
"WHAT?"
"Simon's been invited to sing at the ceremony next week. That performance will be very important for my grandson. I don't want the current drama to overshadow that."
"But our show's been nominated, and I'm up for best performance. What if I win?"
Charlotte Higginbotham burst out laughing.
Isabeau bit her lip. "What's so funny?" She asked, genuinely hurt. "T.V. Week called me 'an exciting new talent.'"
"Oh do be realistic, Isabeau! You're good, but against a veteran like Lorrae Desmond? Don't be ridiculous!" Mrs. Higginbotham scoffed. "You can't possibly win, Isabeau, but if by some bizarre miracle, you do, I will accept the award on your behalf."
"You can't stop me from attending!" Isabeau argued.
"As your agent, I think you'll find I can. Read the fine print on your contract." Mrs. Higginbotham smirked.
"But it's the Logies, I have to go!" Isabeau whined. "Your family hasn't spoken to you in four years. Why do you care now?"
The look that Charlotte Higginbotham gave Isabeau was chilling. My Lady's nostrils were actually flaring. For a moment, I thought she was going to slap Isabeau. Instead, she spoke softly, scarily so.
"Let me put it this way, dear." She began. "If you attend, I'll no longer be your agent. In fact, no one will be your agent. I'll make sure, that no one will sign you. As you know, I have quite a bit of influence in the industry. Everyone wants to be on my books, and anyone who's anyone already is. Imagine what people will say, when you're dropped by the most prestigious talent agent in the country."
"You're not." Isabeau shot back.
Mrs. Higginbotham narrowed her eyes. "I'm not what?" she asked.
"You're not the most prestigious talent agent. You haven't been for a while now.
"Thank you for mentoring me and inspiring my name, but when our contract expires next month, I won't be renewing it. Good day, Charlotte."
Isabeau rose gracefully from her seat and walked out of the room.
Wow! That was actually impressive.
I never imagined that Lizzie could impress anyone unless she was acting. I stared after her in disbelief.
And then it hit me. Of course. She was acting.
She's probably outside bawling her eyes out.
Mrs. Higginbotham tried to act unbothered, but she was clearly ruffled. Her hands shook as she tried, unsuccessfully, to light her cigarette.
"Jason would you mind?"
She handed me a luxury gold lighter. I lit her cigarette and she inhaled as if her life depended on it.
"Thank you," she said, exhaling heavily.
"I um, I should be going." I stood up to leave. "People are probably looking for me."
"Stay where you are, Jason. We've a lot to talk about... I... I want you to stop pursuing Madeline."
"Why? You've been pleased with my work so far. The Peacocks trust me, and I'm invited to all the birthdays and social events and what not. I've even helped baby-sit the twins."
"The twins?"
"Bex and Joe's kids. They're turning three next month. Simon and Sadie also come of age in March, so the two families are having a massive combined celebration, and-"
"And in four years, you've not managed to be alone with Madeline once. Everyone loves her. No one is willing to say anything against her. How do you expect to get any information that'll ruin her reputation, hmm?
"You said yourself that it could be years. You said you were willing to wait."
"That was before your father proved to be such a monumental fool. I'm sorry, but I can no longer be associated with the Sturrocks. It's a bad look for the agency."
"You were willing to work with Lizzie."
"She's done everything to distance herself from the Sturrock name. Besides, her talent is real, she's a good investment. You are not...
"Unfortunately, Isabeau is right. I'm no longer number one. I'm losing money. To be perfectly blunt, I can't afford you. We can no longer continue as before."
"But... What about Maddie?"
"What's the point. You can't even get her alone? My grandson and that loud-mouthed Lebanese girl he's going with, tag along to everything you organise, apparently."
"True, but if Simon gets a record deal, he won't have the time to hang around, and I doubt that Sadie would want to be a third wheel."
"If!"
"You said yourself, his performance at the Logies will be important. You also claim to know people in the industry, so make a few calls."
"I'm old school, Jason. I know nothing about popular music, and this...disco fad, you kids seem to be into."
"Which is why you're not attracting the clientele you need to stay on top. Get with the times, partner with someone who actually does know."
"Are you suggesting yourself?" she asked, with a wry smile.
"Hanging out in the top nightclubs has some advantages."
"How so?"
"What if I told you that before I headed out to the farm, yesterday I'd secured an invite for Simon to attend a Logie after party at the home of the A and R manager for a major record label?
"You have mainly actors on your books and those singers you do represent are only known for musical theatre. Hire me as a talent scout for singers of popular music. I guarantee I'll increase your clientele.
"Additionally, once Simon is signed, and he will be, Madeline will be without her guard dog. You'll get your revenge on her. I promise you."
Her eyes lit up. I could see she was interested. She took another long drag on her cigarette before replying. "Do you think you can get your sister to renew her contract with me?" she asked.
"With us. Yes, I think I could."
She threw back her head, laughter escaping through the curls of smoke from her cigarette.
"All right Jason. You have yourself a deal, but I still believe that neither you, nor Isabeau should attend the Logies."
"Yeah, I... I think it might be wise for the both of us to lay low for a while."
"When I give the say-so, you'll release a joint statement expressing your shock and sadness upon learning that your entire family dynamic was based on a facade."
My Lady Chardonnay is back.
"Agreed!"
Authors Notes:
The Logie Awards were first implemented in 1959. They were initially called the TV Week Awards and were renamed the Logie Awards in 1960 by Graham Kennedy, after John Logie Baird, the inventor of television, as they celebrated and rewarded television in Australia.
The Logies were one of the few televised award ceremonies in Australia at that time, meaning a win would be broadcast live or in highlights to a broad audience.
Lorrae Desmond was a much loved Australian stage and television actress, known for her appearances in various variety shows and guest spots, due to her established reputation as a singer and entertainer. She had made a name for herself with "The Lorrae Desmond Show," which ran from 1960 to 1964, but in 1973, she was more recognized for her acting rather than hosting.
In the music industry, A&R stands for Artists and Repertoire. The person officially offering a recording contract on behalf of a record label would typically be an A&R Representative or A&R Manager. This individual is responsible for scouting new talent, overseeing the artistic development of the label's recording artists, and managing the signing process. They act as the primary liaison between the artist and the label. A&R personnel are key in artist acquisition and development.
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