Personal Log 67: The Story Of Cheryl Maughan-Pike
01 Oct 2016Jemine Caesar
The Orb (studio theatre)Miller Depot, Barnard's Star
16th October, 3301
After Sam and Nathalie left for the short walk to Miller Depot's Orb Theatre, I settled myself down to pass the time by watching one of my grandmama's old holovids. Nathalie had taken a surveillance device to record the interview with Cheryl Maughan-Pike, so that I could view it later.
*****
Enter! Ah, hello! Do come in, both of you. Olly told me you wanted to see me. Mr Hodkin, isn't it? And you are..? Nathalie Hudson? You're no relation to Zachary, are you? No? Well, well. Do take a seat, won't you? Oh, you prefer to stand, Miss Hudson? Suit yourself.
Now, how can I help you? Oh, so you're writing a book about 'Star's End'? That's lovely. Yes, I was in it for the last few years of its run. I played the starport tart, hahaha! I was only 20, of course. Such happy times. We were one big happy family.
Rebekka Thorne? Oh, yes, dear old Rebekka, she was an angel. She and I were in the show until it ended in 3275. Bekka played an officious Empire diplomat. She was ever so good. But in 3272 the audience figures had been declining, so the show's producers sent some of the cast off to make public appearances to drum up the viewers.
'Star's End' was especially popular in the Empire, so Bekka and I were booked as guests on some of their chat shows. Why, yes, we did go on 'Like It Is'. You have done your research! I'm impressed! We finished our slot, and then the chat show hostess, Marcia Bannerman - a horrid woman - did the wrap up. Yes, Mr Hodkin, I know Marcia Bannerman's still going. Calls herself a satiriedienne. I can't stand her!
Anyway, as Bekka and I walked off the set, we were stopped by one of the studio staff. He said we were to go to our separate dressing rooms and wait for a VIP visitor. No, he didn't say who. I don't think he knew.
Well, I went to my dressing room and waited. And waited. Luckily I had my script with me for my next storyline, so I picked that up and started learning lines. I was going to be swept off my feet by a mysterious visitor to the starport. Commander Jameson, no less! Bloody ridiculous idea! The writers were getting really desperate.
Two hours went by, and I was still waiting for this ruddy VIP. Then there was a knock at the door. 'About time!' I thought to myself, and opened the door. There was a man standing outside. He didn't say his name, but he was wearing a private bodyguard ID badge. He told me the VIP had decided to leave, and would not be calling on me after all. No apology, either! I was furious, but what can you do?
Do I remember his name? Well, yes, as a matter of fact I do, but only because of the connection with my own name. It was Salmon. Alvin Salmon. My name's Pike, you see? Hahaha! Oh well, I thought it was funny.
When I met up with Bekka later, she told me the VIP had been to see her, so I naturally asked her who it had been. She said it was none other than Harold Duval! Apparently he was a big fan of 'Star's End'. We did a few more chat shows, then went back to work.
Come to think of it, Bekka was unwell for a few months in 3273. She had to take several months out, then came back to the show until it ended. Quite an ending it was, too! The starport was destroyed when a capital ship dropped out of witchspace inside the station. I was one of the few to escape the explosion, haha!
Speaking of Alvin Salmon, I met him again quite recently. Although given the line of work he's in nowadays, I suppose it was only a matter of time before we bumped into each other. He's a stage door keeper in one of the theatres we played in the last couple of months. Either Arcturus or Wyrd, I think. It was definitely a proper theatre, on a planet. Not a pokey little starport studio theatre, like this one.
Bekka? Well, after 'Star's End' was axed, she went into retirement. Her husband was already becoming a bit of a recluse. I haven't heard from her since. Do you know if she's still alive? Oh, she is? That's good. You say you've met her, Mr Hodkin? Well, well. I bet she's still an outrageous flirt. She always had an eye for the boys! She must be in her eighties by now.
What did you say? Rebekka had a daughter? Called Jemine? She never mentioned that. And this is a recent holo-image of her? She's very pretty, but surely not old enough! She can only be about 23 or 24. She's 28? Well, well! She's certainly inherited her mother's youthful looks. Nice bone structure. I beg your pardon? The father was Harold Duval? I find that hard to believe, Mr Hodkin!
Now, if there are no more questions, I shall bid you goodnight.
*****
Once Sam and Nath had given me their account of the interview with Cheryl Maughan-Pike (aided by Nath's recording device), we agreed our next step had to be to find Alvin Salmon. Surely he, as Harold Duval's bodyguard, would be able to provide the proof I needed?
I didn't sleep much that night. My emotions were all over the place. Happy because I was a step nearer the truth about my father. Angry because my mama had kept the truth from me all my life. Frustrated because my real mother knew the truth, but I couldn't ask her because it would have distressed her so much. And fear. I felt afraid of knowing the truth, and of how it might change me.
But I had to know what that truth was, whatever the consequences. I thanked the Good Lady Gaia that I had my friends to help and support me.