Exert from The Best Laid Plans
Chapter 1, p1-2, 4-6 It was
one of those rare, serendipitous days when nothing could go wrong. Leslie
Stewart had no interest in astrology, but that morning, as she was leafing
through the Lexington Herald-Reader, a horoscope in an astrology column by
Zoltaire caught her eye. It read:
FOR LEO (JULY 23RD TO AUGUST 22ND). THE NEW MOON ILLUMINATES YOUR LOVE LIVE. YOU ARE IN YOUR LUNAR CYCLE HIGH NOW, AND MUST PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO AN EXCITING NEW EVENT IN YOUR LIFE. YOUR COMPATIBLE SIGN IS VIRGO. TODAY WILL BE A READ LETTER DAY. PREPARE TO ENJOY IT.
Jim Bailey walked into Leslie’s tiny, cramped office.
“We have a new client,” he announced “I want you to take charge.” She was already handling more accounts than anyone else at the firm, but she knew better than to protest. “Fine,” she said. “What is it?” “It’s not a what, it’s a who. You’ve heard of Lover Russell, of course?”
Everyone had heard of Lover Russell. A local attorney and candidate for governor, he had his face on billboards all over Kentucky. With his brilliant legal record, he was considered, at thirty-five, the most eligible bachelor in the state. He was on all the talk shows on the major television stations in Lexington-WDKY, WTVQ, WKYT- and on the popular local radio stations, WKQQ and WLRO. Strikingly handsome, with black, unruly hair, dark eyes, an athletic build, and a warm smile, he had the reputation of having slept with most of the ladies in Lexington.
“Yes, I’ve heard of him. What are we going o do for him?” “We’re going to try to help turn him into the governor of Kentucky. He’s on his way here now.”
Oliver Russell arrived a few minutes later. He was even more attractive in person than in his photographs.
When he was introduced to Leslie, he smiled warmly. “I’ve heard a lot about you. I’m so glad you’re going to handle my campaign.” He was not at all what Leslie had expected. There was a completely disarming sincerity about the man. For a moment, Leslie was at a loss for words. “I-thank you. Please sit down.” Oliver took a seat. “Let’s start at the beginning,” Leslie suggested. “Why are you running for governor?” “It’s very simple. Kentucky’s a wonderful state. We know it is, because we live here, and we’re able to enjoy this magic- but much of the country thinks of us a bunch of hillbillies. I want to change that image. Kentucky has more to offer than a dozen other states combined. The history of this country began here. We have one of the oldest capitol buildings in America. Kentucky gave this country two presidents. It’s the land of Daniel Bonne and Kit Carson and Judge Roy Bean. We have the most beautiful scenery in the world-exciting caves, rivers, bluegrass fields- everything. I want to open all that up to the rest of the world.”
He spoke with a deep conviction, and Leslie found herself strongly drawn to him. She thought of the astrology column. “The new moon illuminates your love life. Today will be a red-letter day. Prepare to enjoy it.”
Oliver was saying, “The campaign won’t work unless you believe in this as much as I do.” “I do,” Leslie said quickly. Too quickly? “I’m really looking forward to this.” She hesitated a moment.
“May I ask you a question?”
“Certainly.”
“What’s your birth sign?”
“Virgo.”
FOR LEO (JULY 23RD TO AUGUST 22ND). THE NEW MOON ILLUMINATES YOUR LOVE LIVE. YOU ARE IN YOUR LUNAR CYCLE HIGH NOW, AND MUST PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO AN EXCITING NEW EVENT IN YOUR LIFE. YOUR COMPATIBLE SIGN IS VIRGO. TODAY WILL BE A READ LETTER DAY. PREPARE TO ENJOY IT.
Jim Bailey walked into Leslie’s tiny, cramped office.
“We have a new client,” he announced “I want you to take charge.” She was already handling more accounts than anyone else at the firm, but she knew better than to protest. “Fine,” she said. “What is it?” “It’s not a what, it’s a who. You’ve heard of Lover Russell, of course?”
Everyone had heard of Lover Russell. A local attorney and candidate for governor, he had his face on billboards all over Kentucky. With his brilliant legal record, he was considered, at thirty-five, the most eligible bachelor in the state. He was on all the talk shows on the major television stations in Lexington-WDKY, WTVQ, WKYT- and on the popular local radio stations, WKQQ and WLRO. Strikingly handsome, with black, unruly hair, dark eyes, an athletic build, and a warm smile, he had the reputation of having slept with most of the ladies in Lexington.
“Yes, I’ve heard of him. What are we going o do for him?” “We’re going to try to help turn him into the governor of Kentucky. He’s on his way here now.”
Oliver Russell arrived a few minutes later. He was even more attractive in person than in his photographs.
When he was introduced to Leslie, he smiled warmly. “I’ve heard a lot about you. I’m so glad you’re going to handle my campaign.” He was not at all what Leslie had expected. There was a completely disarming sincerity about the man. For a moment, Leslie was at a loss for words. “I-thank you. Please sit down.” Oliver took a seat. “Let’s start at the beginning,” Leslie suggested. “Why are you running for governor?” “It’s very simple. Kentucky’s a wonderful state. We know it is, because we live here, and we’re able to enjoy this magic- but much of the country thinks of us a bunch of hillbillies. I want to change that image. Kentucky has more to offer than a dozen other states combined. The history of this country began here. We have one of the oldest capitol buildings in America. Kentucky gave this country two presidents. It’s the land of Daniel Bonne and Kit Carson and Judge Roy Bean. We have the most beautiful scenery in the world-exciting caves, rivers, bluegrass fields- everything. I want to open all that up to the rest of the world.”
He spoke with a deep conviction, and Leslie found herself strongly drawn to him. She thought of the astrology column. “The new moon illuminates your love life. Today will be a red-letter day. Prepare to enjoy it.”
Oliver was saying, “The campaign won’t work unless you believe in this as much as I do.” “I do,” Leslie said quickly. Too quickly? “I’m really looking forward to this.” She hesitated a moment.
“May I ask you a question?”
“Certainly.”
“What’s your birth sign?”
“Virgo.”
