Disclaimer: I own nothing except the current gender bender for Frances and any alterations to the original storyline plot her presence creates to various readers amusement everywhere across the globe.
A Woman's Game Chapter 4
Mr. Hastings wasn't kidding when he said the easy part would be actually passing the qualifier instead of meeting with the Executive Committee for the National Amateur Championship.
After the talk she had with Mr. Hastings and Mr. Campbell she immediately filled out an entry application. Resigning from her position as a caddie for the Country Club she prepared herself along with one of her very few best dresses and met with the Executive Committee no less than the following day.
It all happened so fast, but Francis needed to move quickly if she was to be successfully admitted into the competition.
So here she was sitting in the office of the Club Secretary to meet with him and Embry Wallis with Mr. Hastings to sponsor her. Embry Wallis is someone Francis had been a caddie for many times before in the past. So some points to her since he already knew her to an extent, but that didn't guarantee she would be let in on that alone. Francis was gonna have to seriously work for it.
Reading over her completed entry application, the Club Secretary said "You're a caddie here?"
Nodding proudly, Francis said "Yes, sir. For ten years. I just recently resigned to preserve my status as an amateur."
"What, no plans to turn professional," said Embry Wallis, in good-natured sarcasm.
Francis took no offense. She was acquainted with Embry Wallis by now to know that even though it was a bit mocking he didn't mean anything insulting by it.
Shaking her head, Francis said "Uh, no, sir. I plan to have a career in business once I save enough of the funds to attend college."
"Oh business," said Embry Wallis, brow quirked.
"Yes," confirmed Francis.
"What sort of business," said Embry Wallis.
Before Francis could sufficiently answer the door opened and in came Stedman Comstock. He's a prominent patron and member of the Country Club. The very second she saw him enter a sinking feeling fell to the pit that is now Francis's stomach. She'd never caddied for him before, but from what Francis heard he wasn't all that pleasant. Something told Francis she would not be happy to hear she was trying to gain admittance into the National Amateur Championship especially since she is a woman it was is deemed a men's only sport.
"Howard, we need," began Mr. Comstock, cutting off when he realized the person he was here to see was already occupied with other guests. "Sorry. Carry on."
But Mr. Comstock did not leave.
Continuing where he left off, folding his hands atop the desk he was seated behind, the Club Secretary said "What's your home club? I don't see it here. They have to sponsor you."
"My home club," said Francis, casting a nervous glance at Mr. Hastings.
Mr. Hastings ever the supportive friend simply nodded smiling encouragement at her. The expression on his face told her to have courage. He'd back her up.
Upon his direction, confidently, Francis said "I'm between clubs at the moment."
Chuckling in amusement as he sat in an armchair, realistically, Embry Wallis said "Look, see here. You may have qualified as a player, but this just isn't the sort of thing that caddies do."
"You're a caddie," said Mr. Comstock in disgust.
Holding her head up, Francis said "Yes, sir, I was."
"Caddies don't play in the Amateur. It's not for your kind. Members only," said Mr. Comstock, disdainfully. He then rudely pressed his own business in blatant disregard to those already there, expecting them to just get up and leave now that he was there. "We need to discuss the opening on the greens committee."
As polite and patient as she could possibly make herself, Francis said "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. But there must be a for somebody who's not a member to compete."
"Not this year," sneered Mr. Comstock.
Francis was lost for words.
For a few seconds, it fully appeared as if Francis was going to give up. But then she thought better of it choosing to fight.
How timely with Mr. Comstock's following comment.
Scowling, he scoffed "As if she could afford the fifty-dollar entrance fee."
That caught her interest.
"Excuse me, sir…if I were to pay the fifty dollars, would I still need to belong to a club," said Francis.
"Well, technically, no," said the Club Secretary.
The man's compatriots glared at him to shut up.
Embry Wallis sighed "Look, you would still need a club member in good standing to sponsor you, and-."
Rising from his chair, prepared for this outcome, smug, Mr. Hastings said "And…that would be me."
Anyone who would say Mr. Hastings isn't a gentleman is an idiot and they knew it. They had one more card to play.
"Miss Ouimet, forgive my frankness, but you are a woman. There's never been a woman competing in the Amateur before," said Club Secretary.
Shrugging her shoulders, Francis said "I don't mind being the first. And before you even say it's against the rules Mr. Comstock, I've already checked them. There is no point at any time does it distinguishing that a woman cannot play in the Amateur. It only speaks of a player not elaborating on genders."
Yeah, none of the opposing party could contest her on that. It was written in the rules for all to see whether they liked it or not. They had no choice but to leave it be.
Especially with the mention of a lawyer being brought in the case if they sought to continue to stand in her way when she's already met the majority of the requirements. There's just one left.
Authors Note:
I think we can all agree that the majority of the Committee needs to go to hell. The reason why this chapter has taken so long to get up is because I absolutely hate that last scene. Whenever I'm watching the movie I always skip over it, but here it was unavoidable much to my own infinite displeasure. Definitely puts you off the mood for watching the movie.