The Seduction (standard:mystery, 3623 words)
Author: Hulsey	Added: Jul 14 2003	Views/Reads: 5444/2826	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
A complex twenties mystery.

As I write this my heart is heavy, my conscience burdened by the
enormity of my misdemeanour. Gluttony is an evil distraction, and the 
cause of my misfortune. It all started on what should have been a 
wonderful day in June. 

At the age of twenty-five, I ought to have been indulging in such
pleasures as the Charleston, Douglas Fairbanks, Buster Keaton or Lois 
Armstrong, but I was not. My idol was the great author, F Scott 
Fitzgerald. His novel, The Great Gatsby had just been published, and 
after reading it several times, my mind was made up. My vocation in 
life was to follow my mentor into the world of literature. 

I was fortunate enough to have wealthy parents, who encouraged me
greatly and allowed me to pursue my dream. The cruise on the great ship 
the Ocean Pearl was my mother's idea. The atmosphere, she stated, would 
enhance my writing qualities and would afford me the solitude needed to 
write my novel. 

So it was that I alighted this spectacular 20,000 tonne, fifty-foot
liner in Plymouth, the embarking point of many a great sailor. I was 
shown to my splendid cabin, and after navigating around the ship, I 
settled down to fulfil my desire. Two hours later, and a huge pile of 
writing paper lay at my feet; the rejections of my toil. I decided to 
have a stroll on the deck and clear my head, and that is when my chance 
encounter with Richard Sherman occurred. 

I leant over the railing, the sea breeze refreshing my senses. I saw the
shadow, and the aroma of cigar smoke irritated me. I turned my head to 
see an elegantly attired man. He was so handsome with his slicked back 
hair, groomed moustache and captivating grey eyes. A spark of 
recognition registered, and I battled with my aching head to recall 
where I had seen him before. 

“Good morning. Wonderful isn't it?” He offered his hand and the
realisation numbed me. I must have seemed like an overexcited child to 
him as I stood in awe, my mouth agape. 

“Richard Sherman.” 

“David Musgrove,” I stuttered, as I continued my handshake. 

“You can leave go of my hand now, David.” 

“I...I watch all of your films, Mr Sherman,” I stuttered. 

“Really, I hate Hollywood. Theatre is where I thrive, playing to a live
audience. Now that's real acting... Tell me, what do you do, David?” 

“I'm a writer. Well, I'm aspiring to be.” 

“How wonderful, a fine career choice. Who are you travelling with?” 

“I'm on my own. My parents thought the setting of a cruise ship would
spark me into being a literary genius. It doesn't appear to be working 
I'm afraid.” 

The actor was reassuring. “Never give up young man. Map out your
ambition and no matter how many rejections you get, stick at it. I 
speak from experience, believe me.” 

“You were rejected?” 

“Many times. Many times... It's been a pleasure conversing with you
David. I must go. I have a possessive wife who will not allow me five 
minutes to myself... Why don't you join us for dinner tonight? We're 
dining at the Captain's table.” 

“Are you serious, me dining with the great Richard Sherman? I'll be
delighted.” “Good, then that's settled. A good morning to you.” 

The great actor gave me a buzz that morning, so much that I wrote the
opening chapter of my novel. Just meeting the actor had filled me with 
such ambition and self-confidence. 

After umpteen attempts at my bow tie, I looked in the mirror and saw a


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