Amy Sage in:

The Feminist Movement

We left Ustvestia's house and headed toward the city's exit. I wasn't ready to leave yet. Not until I had everyone's attention.

"This is an outrage. I am going to report that man to the police. Rolf, get me a police officer this instant," I demanded.

"Look, Amy…" Rolf tried to reason as we continued. But I couldn't bear anymore of that.

"Don't say it Rolf! If you finish that thought, I… I don't know what I'll do, but I know you won't like it!"

Josh Kain whistled. "Looks like the doc ain't too happy bout our friend Ustvestia," he said with a sarcastic smile.

I glared at him. "No Joshua," I said, emphasizing the full name in which he told us not to call him by. "I'm not happy at all! I've met men like him before, but that was outrageous!"

"Amy," Shir said. "I think I know what you're thinking. But you're wrong."

Who was Shir to tell me what I was thinking!?! She was just a thief. A common pick-pocket. She never experienced what I had. She had never been rejected from a position she was obviously certified for, though she clearly had the skills to be in that position.

And I would make her understand that.

"Wrong? WRONG! YOU say I'M wrong!!??" I yelled, a little too hysterically. "You, Shir, don't know the meaning of the word wrong!"

Kain glanced at Shir. "Can't argue with that none, huh?" he said with a laugh. Shir simply shrugged and smiled. I guess the point was across.

"Whatever. Its done. Over. So can we go now?" Shir asked Rolf.

Before he could answer, I yelled, "NO! Rolf! We are not going ANYWHERE! Unless you plan on leaving me here and continuing on without your Doctor, that is!"

"OK Amy," Rolf said calmly. "What are you gonna do? Do you want me to get a policeman? I'll get one."

"If they ain't already on the way," Kain pointed out.

"If you want Shir to steal his piano…" Rolf continued.

"And I would," Shir assured me.

"…so he can never give overpriced lessons again, I can give her the word. If you want me and Rudo to go in there and beat him senseless demanding our money back…"

"No! You're missing the point! All of you!" I cut in.

They continued their side conversations and suggestions. I finally had had enough.

"LISTEN!!!!"

I gasped for air. Yelling takes a lot out of you, I was learning. In a way, it felt good. I couldn't remember a time when I had expressed my anger more in my life. I had everyone's attention now, if I didn't have it before. Rolf, Shir, Kain, Hugh, Anna, and Rudo were all watching me now.

"This isn't about money!! Its about old-fashioned men like him, undermining women's abilities. My whole career I've faced discrimination in my workplace! That's why I left! I joined you because I was tired of yielding all of the important jobs to the 'smarter' male doctors! I left home so I could do something radical and be noticed!"

I thought I was clear. Yet they all still looked slightly puzzled.

"And I left to help you of course," I said more calmly. "But can't you see? They just didn't recognize my talents because I was different. And now this Ustvestia… He did the same thing. He said he'd charge less to give lessons to one of our men because you men look 'Oh so smart"! Well why can't I be smart? Because I'm a woman?"

I looked at them. Most of them looked amused now. Rolf turned away a little with a trace of a smile. Kain was smiling a huge grin, and Shir Gold snickered.

It was Hugh who stepped toward me. "So… you think he was discriminating against you because you are a woman?"

I hesitated. But Hugh didn't seem like the joking type. "Am I wrong?"

He shrugged. "Well yeah… I mean… no, not completely. You see, Ustvestia the musician is a little… different than most men. But he isn't a bad guy."

"Really? Different? But I don't see it. What do you mean?"

Kain laughed. "Ol' Huey here would know all about this kind of different!"

"Shut up Kain," Hugh grumbled, leaving me very confused.

"Can't you see it Doc?" Kain asked. "Just look at Ustvestia! He jus' one big fruitcake!"

I was appalled. "I am unaware of why his appearance is relevant to the issue at hand, Kain! If someone were to judge you in the same way they might have much to say about…"

Anna provided me with a straightforward approach. "Amy, Ustvestia is gay! As in homosexual!" she said, annoyed. She crossed her arms across her chest and let out a deep sigh.

It all made sense now. "You mean… his compliments to our male companions… were just flirtation devices?"

"Yes."

"…Oh. I see."