Perry Mason - The Truth is Told
I did NOT write the books, or TV shows, of Perry Mason, nor do I own any character
in this story with the exception of Carlotta. This particular fan fiction does not involve
any court scene, more of 'behind the scenes' - so to speak.
Part One
Scenery: A front room holding a surprisingly comfortable white couch gently held
Della as the light brown door opened up. A dark brown hutch with plenty of glass holding
expensive rock and glass items could also bee seen.
Carlotta: "Hi."
The soft female's voice hadn't changed in the twenty-five years Della had known the
lady. Only when the woman hung up her coat and settled in chair did she put a old, but
reliable, cassette recorder onto the table. Sliding in a tape she glanced up to see Della's
eyes closed and - for a split second- thought the project would be allowed to stop.
Della: "Is the tape on?"
Carlotta: "Yes."
Della: "Then start talking."
Carlotta reluctantly began to open up herself to the world.
Carlotta: My name is Carlotta J. Mason. I see very little use in recording any of my life
with the man people call Perry. They seem to want to picture him one way and I am
perfectly content to let them think anything they desire; as was Perry and Della. But here
lately Della has grown uneasy. She seems to think it's time the truth is told. Get it all out
- so to speak. I tried arguing against it, but she stood firm and mentioning it to Perry did
not good - it only brought a plea for me to heed Della's request.
I would have fought both on the subject, but Perry is growing weaker day by day, and
Della's footsteps are no longer as light as they once were. . Still I dragged my feet in
coming until I got 'the look' from Perry. And delaying turning on the recorder was not an
option as Della's own face reprimanded me.
Chuckle out of Della
Della : Darling, that was not ever an option.
Della, waved her hand and told Carlotta to go on.
Carlotta: I was a college student when I met Perry. I'd been living in the dorms for
about a year I'd say. Running wile wasn't my cup of tea and many Friday nights found me
curled up in my dorm reading a book, munching on an apple and listening to music -
sometimes from the radio that sat on a shelf, or a record playing on mother's old
phonograph. Jeanie Talbot was my best friend. Hyper, vibrant and a full head of blond
hair. Course, nobody, and I mean nobody, could have called her a dumb blond. If they
had? They'd have probably found her fist down their throat, or worse yet ex-lax in their
brownies.
Before Carlotta could go on the door opened and allowed Paul Drake Jr. to wheel in
Perry.
Perry: Don't let me stop you, please, go on.
Carlotta showed -through her twisted smile - she would get out of this recording if she
could. Perry only smiled as he crossed his arms and Paul was no help as his reaction was
to laugh when Della firmly, but gently, ordered her back to speaking.
Carlotta: Anyhow, Jeanie and I had a blast throughout that whole year. She'd think of
tricks and I'd help carry them out. Vaseline on the dorm's doorknobs, salt in someone's
ice cream, ransacking someone's room, and short sheeting the beds seemed to be our
main thing. All were easily cleanable, and no-one got hurt - well, except one broken toe,
but Tommy - another student - didn't seem to mind and said he deserved it for some joke
he had played on his room-mate. We never worked with a crew though - always alone,
that was a standard rule.
Paul Drake Jr. : Why not? Seems to me most college students always preferred to do it in
groups of more than two. Still do from what I can tell.
Carlotta: If one is going to get the blame, and the consequence, shouldn't you make sure
you know you're guilty?
The cat like grin that comes onto Carlotta's face got Paul to get a of-course look on his
face and keeps Perry's smile in place. It's Della that got her friend to focus back on the
tape instead of the men.
Della: Go on, dear.
Carlotta: Yes, Ma'am.
Her tone -not to mention the look that came onto her face - got the room filled with
chuckles.
Carlotta: One night -probably out of too much time on our hands -and a very strange
wild streak - we headed down to where the classrooms were. That's when all the trouble
started.
Things started out okay, simple toilet-papering, minus the eggs, and soap on windows.
Therefore I had no qualms in shimming up a local pole and plastering icing on it.
However, when I heard glass breaking - and a very loud thud - I flew down the pole and
insisted Jeanie and I leave. It was surprisingly difficult to get out of the crowd as one had
gathered faster than I'd have thought possible. Somehow, we managed to leave the
students behind us and get back to our dorms. I was glad that whole mess was out of my
hair - so I thought.
Perry's numbers began to drop and the recording was turned off as a light snack was
brought out. Carlotta would have preferred to talk without reservation but Paul Jr.
opened up the windows and Della had already warned them she'd had a very nosy
neighbor move in next door. Carlotta let out a soft 'yippee' and still looked as if she
wanted to ditch this particular part of California and head back home. Perry assured her
that would happen soon enough.
Perry: Della's right though. We need to do this.
Carlotta: Why? It's not like it's going to change anything - besides people already have a
mindset on what they think.
Perry: Because the world may know about the wind which helped me fly in the
courtroom, but they've never known the larger force keeping me flying outside of it.
Therefore, my dear, I think you deserve a moment of sunlight on you instead of standing
in my shadows.
Carlotta: If that is the case, why not talk openly now?
Della spoke softly; because my neighbor works with the media. So - as we all know
Perry could handle that just fine, but you (pointing her finger at Carlotta) , could not.
What is said into that recorder will be let out after you are no longer living any part of this
state and he is lowered six feet under.
Paul Jr.: So, we are we going to go back into the front room, or should I..(tilting his
head) close the windows?
Perry: If you don't mind I need a quick nap. How about we start back up after I get up?
Carlotta admitted she too was a bit worn out from the trip down to where Della lived,
and Paul Jr. - while not tired - admitted relaxing in front of a movie chatting to Della
would be just fine with him. So the tape recorder was set aside for the time being.