Margaret Atwood - Hag-Seed

But before his daily Google he checks his emails. He’s still running the two email addresses, one under Felix Phillips for taxes and other such functions, and the other for F. Duke. The second is the address he’s given to the Fletcher Correctional office for use in emergencies — not that there have ever been any — and he’s given it also to Estelle, even though she knows his real name.

She’s been keeping him posted. A true star, he tells her: his Lady Luck. She loves such compliments: she loves to feel that both he and the program genuinely need her. She gets a huge kick out of being an unseen but crucial part of the theatrical action.

Today she’s sent him a message: Need to see you soonest. Something’s come up suddenly. Lunch?

It would be my pleasure , he emails back.

They meet at their regular place: Zenith, in Wilmot. Estelle has dolled herself up for him, even more than usual; but why does he assume it’s for him? Maybe she dolls herself up every day. Her hair is newly gilded, as are her nails, and she’s sporting globe-shaped earrings like miniature disco balls, shocking pink and rhinestone-studded. Her suit is equally pink, and she’s wearing an Hermès scarf with a design of racehorses and playing cards, held with a gold pin in a cornucopia design. She’s applied perhaps too much mascara. Felix holds her chair for her as she sits down.

“So,” he says. “Martini?” They’ve taken to beginning their rendezvous with martinis. She enjoys the implied glamour.

“Oh, you shouldn’t tempt me,” she says roguishly, “you reprobate!”

“I adore tempting you,” Felix risks. He’ll see her reprobate and raise her one. “And you adore being tempted. What’s the news?”

She leans forward conspiratorially. Her perfume is flower-filled, fruit-laden. She places her right hand on his wrist. “I don’t want you to be upset,” she says.

“Oh. Is it bad?”

“I have it through my sources on the inside that Heritage Minister Price and Justice Minister O’Nally are pulling the plug on the Fletcher Correctional literacy program,” she says. “They got together on it and agreed. In their announcement, they’re going to call it an indulgence, a raid on the taxpayer wallet, a pandering to the liberal elites, and a reward for criminality.”

“I see,” says Felix. “Harsh of them. But they’re still coming to Fletcher? For this year’s production? As previously confirmed?”

“Absolutely,” says Estelle. “They’ll say they saw the thing in action, they gave it every chance, but on balance it was not worth the — also, their visit will play well within the criminal justice system. It will show they’re paying attention to the correctional officers, and, and — they want the photo op.”

“Excellent,” says Felix. “As long as they’re coming.”

“You’re not disappointed? By the cancellation?”

In fact, Felix is elated by it. It’s exactly the ammunition he needs to rally the troops. Just wait till the Goblins hear that their theatrical troupe is about to be annihilated! It will be very motivating.

“I’m mad enough to spit, myself,” says Estelle. “After all our work!”

“There might be a way to save it,” he says cautiously. “I think. But I’ll need your help.”

“You know you can ask me anything,” she says. “If I can do it, I will.”

“Who exactly will be in their party?” he says. “Besides the two of them. Do you know?”

“I hoped you’d ask that.” She reaches into her purse, a svelte design in silver lamé. “As it happens, I’ve got the list right here. I’m not supposed to have it, but I called in some favors. Cone of silence!” She winks as slyly as she can, considering the thickness of her eyelashes.

Felix isn’t about to ask what kind of favors: as long as she continues to shower positive rays on him personally, it’s all good. Greedily he scans the page. Sal O’Nally, check. Tony Price, check. And what do you know, here’s old Lonnie Gordon, still the Chair of the Makeshiweg Festival, but also, it seems, running a consulting business and heading up the local party fundraising initiative. “I notice that Sebert Stanley’s cut himself in on this,” he says. “Why would he bother?”

“Rumor has it — actually, more than a rumor — that he wants to run for party leader. At the upcoming convention in June. He has a dependable pedigree, and a lot of money.”

“Sal’s running as well,” says Felix. “He was always ambitious. I knew him at school, he was a prick then too. Therefore, a rivalry between the two of them?”

“That’s the word,” says Estelle. “Though the insider nickname for Sebert is ‘limp dick.’ The back-roomers don’t think he’s got the, excuse me, balls.” She chuckles at her own naughtiness. “On the other hand, Sal O’Nally’s made a lot of enemies. His reputation is that he tosses people under the bus when he’s got no more use for them.”

“I’ve noticed,” says Felix.

“But a lot of the people he’s squashed have got friends in the party. They resent that kind of behavior. So, handicaps either way. I’d say the two of them are running neck and neck.”

“And Phony Tony Baloney?” Felix asks. “Tony the Fixer. Who’s he backing?” Because of course Tony will be looking out for the main chance. He’ll throw his weight where it will sink one contender and float the other, then collect his reward from the floater.

“Jury’s out,” says Estelle. “Both of their shoes have been thoroughly licked by him. According to my sources.”

“He’s got a wet tongue,” says Felix. He runs his finger down the page. “Who’s this Frederick O’Nally? Any relative of the Minister?”

“Son of Sal,” says Estelle. “Disappointing son. Postgrad of the National Theatre School, currently interning at Makeshiweg. Sal had Lonnie pull strings to get him in, because he has a hard time saying no. The boy wants a life in theatre, which a lot of my sources in the Department of Heritage think is pretty hilarious considering his dad’s so anti-arts. It’s getting right up Sal’s — it’s getting up his nose.”

“He thinks he can act?” says Felix. “This kid?” Outrageous! A snot-nosed, silver-spooned brat who thinks he can politic his way into the theatre, fly in on Daddy’s coattails. Wish upon a star and the Blue Fairy will turn him into a real actor. Most likely he has the talent of a beet.

“Directing,” says Estelle. “That’s his ambition. He really pushed to come on this visit. By the way, he’s seen the previous videos you’ve made — I know they’re not supposed to be generally circulated, but I showed them to him on the sly — and he thinks they’re, and I quote, sheer genius. He says the program here is radically innovative, cutting edge, and a stellar example of theatre for the people.”

Felix’s opinion of the lad improves. “But he doesn’t know I’m me?” he asks. “He doesn’t know I’m, you know — Felix Phillips?” He wants to say the Felix Phillips, but perhaps he no longer rates a the .

Estelle smiles. “My lips have been sealed,” she says. “All these years. I’ve kept your secret, and I’ve even added some camouflage for you. As far as they’re concerned — our distinguished visitors — you’re just this broken-down failure of an old teacher called Mr. Duke. I’ve sprinkled that story around and they’ve bought it, because who but a broken-down old failure of a teacher would be doing theatre in a no-hope place like Fletcher? Care to join me in another martini?”

“Absolutely! Let’s get some deep-fried calamari,” says Felix. “Live it up!” How many martinis is that? Felix is feeling terrific: the presence of Son of Sal will round things out in a very satisfying way, or that is his fervent hope. “You’re the best,” he tells Estelle. Somehow they’re holding hands. Is he drunk? “The best Lady Luck I could ever have.”