Note: Thanks once again for all of the love. I wanna share something with you guys. When I started to think about this story, I came up with a lot of pairings and when they should meet up. But I never thought about the times crossing over…so yeah. I'm taking artistic license with pretty much all of the other chapters from now on. Also, sorry I've been missing lately, most of my time has been taken away due to a new role-play I started. It's actually a High School AU version of RENT. If you have any interest the link is in my profile, all of the canons are taken, but we'd love love love more oc's. Thanks guys!
Winter 1918 Washington D.C.
"My gentle readers, this day is a momentous one. I, Maggie Soloman, have entered a new era. You may be familiar with my work in the 'gossip' column. Keeping all of the capital up to date on the latest news when it comes to stars, starlets, the wealthy, and of course the politicians that run amok in this grand city. And while I will miss my first column, I am going to welcome this new step forward with open arms.
"Yes, gentle reader, I, Maggie Soloman now writes a weekly news article for your favorite paper, The Washington Star. And not only is this a wonderful day for an up and coming journalist like myself, but it is also a momentous day for the Star. For, I am their first full-time news reporter that is of the female sex. Since this occasion is such a progression for women everywhere, it seemed only right that my first story should revolve around the women who are fighting for the right to vote. Here with me, is the lovely Judith Jermaine."
Judith blinked repeatedly at the woman sitting across from her. She was told that Maggie Soloman's form of journalism was…different. She was never told it was bordering on insanity. "Do you always…talk out your articles before you write them?"
Maggie giggled while taking off her tan hat to reveal her scandalously short hair. "Sets the mood for the interview. Well…this actually is my first ever interview. Usually I buy information off of chefs and butlers and coiffeurs and that type. But it seems like a good enough way to me." She pulled her writing pad closer to herself while carefully avoiding the glass of wine set on the table.
The interviewee seemed less certain of Maggie's tactics. She thought this would be a simple dinner with a simple journalist who only wanted to know the who, what, when, where, and why. However, this was turning out to be more complicated.
"So. Miss Jermaine, tell me why you think it's important for women to have the vote," Maggie sat with her pen at the ready.
Judith straightened her back and cleared her voice. "Well…as a woman yourself, I think that it would be understood. It is because that we are half of the population of these United States. And despite what many men seem to believe, we are just as capable of thinking and reasoning."
Maggie nodded biting the corner of her lip and writing away. "What would you say to those men who believe women to be inferior?"
"I would tell them to look where they have their own proof. There are examples of strong women in the Bible. And throughout history as well," Maggie's pen moved at full speed while Judith continued to talk vividly. "Abigail Adams. Our founders, Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. I could go on for hours simply listing the women that are influential."
The journalist smiled to herself. "You seem awful passionate."
"Well, of course I am. I am a smart woman who knows that we deserve the right to vote. In fact, I am a member of humanity who knows that I must try and help humanity in general. Women are a part of humanity just as men. And we should be considered just as equal as men…wait are you listening to me?" Judith asked since Maggie was quickly downing her glass of wine.
She waved her hand when she put down the glass and nodded with filled cheeks. "Of course. You just said that part already."
'You should have never done this. Obviously, she's just a stupid woman who wants to prove that she's more than just a gossip columnist. Just look at her. She looks more like a fashion plate…like a flapper than a serious woman.' Judith said to herself as she carefully inspected the woman across from her. The dress she wore was a party dress that didn't dare hint of professionalism. In fact, it showed her calf and a hint of a garter belt. Judith knew what her mother would say about such a woman. She crossed her legs and waited for another question.
"Ok, so do you think that the leaders of today like Alice Paul and Lucy Burns will be remembered in the future?" Maggie asked before she started to bite at the end of her pen. It wasn't exactly becoming in Judith's opinion. And she held back a request to act a little bit more…civilized at the table.
Judith rearranged the napkin on her lap. "I would like to believe so. They've done so much for some women…" There was a bitterness in her voice, a bitterness that Maggie picked up on quickly.
"Don't you have a high opinion of Miss Burns and Paul?" She asked tilting her head to the side. 'That damn pen is still in her mouth,' Judith said to herself, watching it bob up and down between the journalists full lips.
"I…I do admire their efforts. And I mean that in the best possible way. And I would like to leave it at that thank you," Judith looked up as the waiter gave Maggie her plate. Some type of sandwich with plenty of mayonnaise.
Maggie looked down at her food but then glanced up at the waiter. "And where is Miss Jermaine's food?"
The waiter bowed to Maggie. "Excuse me, miss. It's on its way. I just thought it would be best to bring your food out the moment it was finished. In case that you were hungry."
She picked up the plate, pen still in her mouth, "I think I can manage. Hold it until Miss Jermaine's is done, too." The waiter looked at the plate with big eyes but didn't dare to argue with her. He quickly took it and rushed into the kitchen.
"That…"Judith started to say, "That wasn't necessary."
"Sure it was. I'm rude but not that rude," Maggie snorted finally taking the pen to paper. "So Miss Burns and Miss Paul aren't all they crack up to be?"
"Oh no," Judith shook her head. "They are assets to our campaign. That is obvious."
Maggie nodded and finally took away the pen to write a few scribbles. "But you still wish that they would change some of their…policies? Which ones would they be? Any specifics?"
"A while back, women from our office attempted to join both of the women in a parade. But they refused us. I would like to believe that all women, have the right to vote. Not just some," Judith explained simply. She looked down at her lap and cringed at her chosen outfit. A pale green jacket and matching gaucho pants. They were a statement all right. Anyone who saw her in such an outfit would know that she was a suffragette. But she wished that she could have chosen something less drab…Maggie looked so much nicer than she did.
Maggie finished her writing a few notes and set the pen aside. "Fair enough-"
"Now both meals are finished, Miss." The waiter broke in, first serving Maggie and then Judith. "Is everything satisfactory, Miss Soloman?"
"Everything is good with me. Why don't you ask Miss Jermaine? Maybe her steak has turned green," Maggie said shooing the waiter to the opposite side of the table. This seemed to be a horrible idea to the waiter. But Judith knew that the man who owned this restaurant was in with the Star. They had to please all of journalists. Including ones like Maggie.
The waiter grit his teeth as he asked, "Is everything fine with you?"
Maggie raised her eyeline as if she was actually interested in Judith's food. "Oh…oh yes. It's fine. Thank you."
"Very good," With that, the waiter ran off.
Judith smiled to herself. "I haven't ever been asked if my food was well cooked."
"It's overrated," Maggie said with a wink. "I prefer to stick my leg out and trip them if there is a problem. Now back to our interview. What is your greatest hopes for the movement that you're involved with?"
"My greatest dreams?" Judith asked as she watched Maggie slurp up her sandwich with pen in hand. "I suppose, that all women have equal rights as men. Same opportunities in the work place. Same rights politically. Same rights to their children as their husbands if not more."
"Do you have children, Miss Jermaine?" Maggie asked suddenly.
Judith blinked and then whispered, "I'm sorry Miss Soloman, but I don't know what that has to do with this interview…"
"Trust me. It'll all work out in the end. Do you?"
"No…no I don't. Nor a husband."
A smile spread across Maggie's face. She licked her lips free of ketchup and said quietly, "I didn't ask if you had a husband."
"Oh…well I thought that would be your next question," Judith explained. She carefully cut her steak and delicately placed the meat into her mouth.
"Why don't you let me do the interviewing Miss Jermain and you-"
"Maggie!" A loud masculine voice called out. Judith raised her head to see a man in an impeccable suit coming their way. 'Perhaps that is Maggie's husband…' She told herself while a feeling of emptiness formed at the bottom of her stomach.
"Mr. Holland. I'm glad you could make it. This is Miss Jermaine, the subject for my article on the suffragette movement," Maggie explained motioning towards Judith. Mr. Holland was one of the most powerful men in Washing D.C. He was the head editor of the Washington Star and every story went past his desk for approval. He could make or break careers, and apparently, he had decided to make Maggie's career.
Judith dabbed her mouth with her napkin and then held out her hand for the man. "It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Holland."
But the well-dressed man only looked at the hand that offered to him. "Maggie…is this a joke?" He asked her looking back at his writer.
Maggie's face flushed. "No…no Mr. Holland. Miss Jermaine is an accomplished suffragette-"
"Who is a Negro," Mr. Holland snapped. "Our readers might be able to sympathize with white wealthy women from good homes who have the idea that they are worthy to men…but not…not this woman. Scrap the story, Maggie. Find someone better or scrap the story."
Judith's eyes dropped down to the floor. She knew it was too good to be true. To get some real publicity for her organization. It didn't run with Alice Paul and Lucy Burns'. Although they offered support, the Southern women with Burns and Paul simply wouldn't allow blacks to walk beside them towards justice. Alice Paul said that they couldn't loose the support of Southerners. Support…it was something nonexistent in Judith's life. She made her own way, fighting for what she thought was right and putting all ideas of a home life out of her mind. Although she would fancy a person every so often, society hated her enough as it was…that was evident with Mr. Holland's words. So she threw herself into her work and ignored what most women wanted. And what she wanted deep down inside of her.
The newspaper editor walked away in a huff and Maggie turned to Judith. "Don't you worry, pookie. I got enough for a great story. And believe me…it's going to be published. And it's not gonna be whitewashed," She said with a deep sense of determination. With that attitude, Judith couldn't help but believe her.
Before she could offer a word of thanks, the journalist uttered a quick goodbye, left a blank check signed, and ran after boss calling his name as she went. Judith looked down at her steak. For some reason she didn't feel very hungry anymore.
"Judith! Judith, honey, look!" Lenore called out running into Judith's office with a newspaper in her hand. "Look. The article. That woman…she got it published. Can you believe it? She must have done something to change that man's mind. Cause look!" The secretary dropped it on Judith's desk and pointed to the article headline.
"EQUAL RIGHTS FOR EQUAL PEOPLE"
Lenore pulled back and wrung her hands excitedly. "I read it all, Judith. She didn't whitewash it. Didn't make it all about our color...well she mentioned it but she didn't make that the focus. She just wrote an article about us. And it's so supportive…you must read-"
"Thank you, Lenore. I will read this on my own. You can go," Judith said cooly. When she was alone, Judith sat back in her chair and started to read the article. She relished every word as it had the quirkiness and vigor that Maggie had herself. And Lenore wasn't exaggerating for once. It was a glowing column. Her opinions on Burns and Paul were explained intelligently and calmly. This was just what they needed to get more members, get recognized as a legitimate group, and perhaps gain acceptance from the likes of Alice Paul and Lucy Burns.
"It's a dream," Judith whispered. Then she read the last line out loud, "And as Miss Jermaine remarked, we all have a responsibility to our humanity to help all of our brothers and sisters. We should applaud Miss Jermaine and all of the women, whether they have dark or light skinned, that have the courage to speak for humanity."
"You like the last line, huh?"
Judith looked up to see Maggie leaning in the doorway of her office. She was wearing a deep red lipstick, which almost matched her maroon party dress. Once again, the length managed to show a hint of her garter. Lenore looked over her shoulder like an excited fan of an artist. "Lenore…could you please give Miss Soloman and I time alone?"
"Oh…oh of course," Lenore said practically shutting the door on Maggie's backside.
"She's an excitable little thing isn't she?" Maggie asked rubbing her rump gently.
Judith stood up and picked up the paper. "Yes well…there seems to be a good reason why. Your article…it's…amazing. You're writing is-"
"Second rate," Maggie said quickly with a shrug. She started to wander around Judith's office picking up any trinket that she could find. Smell it, feel it, drop it. "At least that is what I have been told. And frankly, I believe it. Writing isn't my first profession."
"And…what was your first profession?" Judith asked leaning on her desk and crossing her arms.
"I was an actress. Then I married my producer. Then we divorced. Then I married my director. Divorced him. Almost had the notion to fall for my best friend…but then he dropped a little bomb on me…so I saved myself one divorce. Divorce is my second profession," Maggie said putting up two fingers to visualize her comment.
Judith cleared her throat. Maggie was getting closer, now studying what was on her desk. An engraved letter opener. A glass paper weight. A picture of Judith's parents. "Excuse me…I don't mean to be rude…but why are you…doing what you're doing? Research for another story?"
"Oh no, not for a story," Maggie said shaking her head as she carefully put down the picture frame. "Aren't you going to ask?"
"Ask…ask what?" Judith questioned rubbing her arm. There seemed to be a chill in the room.
Maggie giggled quietly to herself. "What type of bomb my best friend dropped on me. It would be the polite thing to do. I did set you up for it, you should follow through."
Judith decided to bite. "All right then. What type of bomb did he drop on you…" The journalist was now leaning on Judith's desk as well. Their elbows were touching. The tiny hairs on Judith's arms raised quickly.
Maggie smirked. "He doesn't like girls."
"What?" Judith asked quickly a slight blush coming to her cheeks. "I didn't think that those type of things were talked about…not in good company."
"Then I suppose I'm not good company," The woman challenged her bright red lips expanding into a deep smile. Judith raised her brow and then had to laugh in response. The journalist soon joined her laughter and waved her hand in front of her face. Her alabaster skin was turning a slight pink color.
"So do you?" Maggie asked gently.
Judith blinked and tried desperately to ignore Maggie's bare leg that was inching towards hers. "Do…do I what?"
"For being an interviewee you're not so good with answering and asking questions are you?" Maggie asked with a sense of annoyance in her voice.
The suffragette knew exactly what she was talking about. At least she thought she did. The thought of misinterpreting her words, the woman would die of embarrassment. But Maggie's leg was getting closer and closer. Maybe she wasn't jumping to conclusions. "Do I like girls?"
Maggie smiled, no doubt glad that she didn't have to beat around the bush for another ten minutes. "That was the one I was wondering about. Do you not like the look of men?" She asked their legs finally meeting.
Judith gulped and hoped that she wasn't trembling like she thought she was. "Well…it seems very clear that you do. All of those husbands."
"Oh…I married them for less than noble reasons," Maggie explained her shoulder leaning in to meet Judith's.
Then it hit her. Judith backed away from Maggie as if she was diseased. Her mouth open and wide. It took her a few moment to control her thoughts and say, "Is that…is that why you wrote this article? Was it for those less than noble reasons?"
Maggie shook her head furiously and ran to take Judith's hand. "Not at all! I would say…that this was my most noble article yet. Which sadly doesn't say much considering I only did gossip before hand. But I wanted to write this article, Judith. I wanted to write about women who were making a difference instead of being the arm candy that they always were in my previous column…" She paused to look down her hand which still held Judith's. The latter woman hadn't pulled away; in fact, she was listening carefully with hope in her eyes.
The journalist continues, "I found you because I was interested in your work. I wrote the article because I was interested in your work. But I'm here because I'm interested in you…"
"You barely know me," Judith said quietly averting her eyes. This could never turn out right. A woman with another woman? She had always dreamed of it, but never thought it could actually happen. Not to her. Not when she was so busy with her work.
Maggie didn't back down. "True…but at the same time…I do know you…the way you eat steak. Like if it touches your lips you'd burst. The way you accept but don't accept racism at the same time…just what you do. The way you looked shocked at my outfits but never say a word. I knew the moment I saw you…like I've seen you before."
Something clicked in Judith's head. It was the same way for her. It was as if a force that was stronger than herself was drawing her to Maggie. "We haven't meant before have we?" She asked quietly, her left hand coming to join Maggie's and her right.
Maggie smiled deeply. "You feel it too? Maybe…maybe another life…but I would like to know about this one," She whispered leaning closer to Judith.
"Yes…me, too." Judith meet Maggie's lips half way, and their shared their first kiss.
Joanne bit her lip and then asked, "Did she? I mean…did I take the chance?"
"Did I divorce her, too?" Maureen asked slightly louder as if the old woman wouldn't hear or understand her partner.
She laughed happily. "No…no…that story has a happy ending. They lived happily …though scandalously together. Until they no longer drew breath."
Next tale:….You'll see. Well if you can follow the pattern you probably know what RENT people are next. (wink) Their counterparts will be featured in the next two chapters, for a reason that you'll understand when you start reading the next chapter.