Imposter

by Elena Dorothy Bowman

A woman portrays herself as a the creator of a popular TV series and promises to help three other women get started in the business. This is a story of how the three women related to the TV series and it's lead character, The Imposter. Not only were they taken in by her story, but by the woman herself. She took them on a wild ride, one they would not soon forget.

ISBN 1-59431-535-3 romance / Fiction

Cover Art David P. Bowman

Also available in RTF and HTML format



The Imposter

This is based on a true story. The names of the individuals concerned, the dates, times, places, and actual localities where these events unfolded were changed to protect the innocent. The studios mentioned, were the actual studios involved, although it should be noted that they were completely unaware of how they were being used.

***

It all began with a newspaper article in a major local paper. According to the article, a woman sold a book she had written as "property" to a movie producer, and as a result, a new nighttime television series was born. The series, fifteenth in the ratings, had been running successfully for several years. Naturally, this made Mrs., although she preferred to be called Ms., our local novelist, a heroine of sorts and, as she portrayed herself, a willing contact in the arts.

Her list of publications, read like a Who's Who. According to her resume, she had been writing and publishing short stories, novelettes, 'How To' Books, and full length novels for over thirty years, in such prominent publications as: Astounding Science Fiction; Woman's Day; Little, Brown, W.R. Putnam's & Sons, Inc.; Random House; Harper and Row to name a few, all under a pseudonym. She was quite an amazing lady. Not only was she a writer, but she was also an Opera Singer. She performed in such major productions as: Jesus Christ, Superstar; Romeo and Juliet; La Traviata; The Pirates of Penzance; and soloed in many other operas and shows including:Oklahoma; My Fair Lady; South Pacific; Finian's Rainbow; Man of LaMancha; and Kiss Me Kate. And of course, there was her book she sold to Aaron Spelling Productions. The article also read she sang with The Glenn Miller Orchestra as one of the Modernnaires and she had worked on the backdrops to the first science fiction movie…Destination Moon.

Two local women, having read this article and believing in its validity, were hoping for an avenue to open up for their talents through a mutual contact, since they were both involved with writing and producing a musical stage play. A phone call to this "successful Hollywood Writer" resulted in a meeting at which time she promised to be their "contact". With the addition of their artist friend, the imposter led them down a twisted path of well-placed lies and acts of deception. A sequence of promises broken caused one of the local women to investigate the validity of the "Hollywood Writer's" claims of her involvement with major movie and television studios, publication agencies, and local newspapers sources. Following a trail of false claims to their origins, the truth was unfolded one page at a time through phone calls that involved Hollywood Studios, Writer's Agencies, the Yellow Pages, Psychologists, and with the local newspaper correspondent who originated the story. This clever imposter had beguiled professionals and novices alike at their own disciplines.

Someone was bound to react to a resume like this, especially if it was written up in their major local newspaper as 'gospel', and they were in the process of promoting their own work and running into obstacles at every turn and someone did.

This is a story of how three women reacted to it and its lead character The Imposter. Not only were they taken in by her resume, but by the woman herself, and the wild ride she lead them on. A ride they would not soon forget.









Chapter 1

It all began with a newspaper article in the Fairbury Leader, a town paper. According to the article, a woman whose name was Roberta Rogers sold a book she had written as "property" to a movie producer, and as a result, a new nighttime television series was born. The series, fifteenth in the ratings, had been running successfully for several years. Naturally, this made Mrs., although she preferred to be called Ms., Roberta Rogers, our local novelist, a heroine of sorts.

While everyone was not clamoring to meet Roberta Rogers two local women were. After reading the article in the newspaper, they felt a kinship to her, and believed they all shared a common goal. One of these women, Risa, wrote music; the other, Anita, was a novelist, and a scriptwriter. Together, Risa and Anita were collaborating on writing a stage-play -- a musical. Both women, playwrights, lyricists, musicians, along with their everyday lives of wife, mother, homemaker, grandmother, also held full time jobs in the high tech industry. Risa as a secretary, Anita as an engineer, still the article in the newspaper intrigued them.

The following day, while both women were at work, Risa called Anita and asked her if she would come down to her office for a few moments, she had something to show her. Anita agreed saved the program she was working on, signed off her terminal, and hurried over to see what Risa wanted…thinking it had to do with the musical they were working on. Risa handed Anita a copy of the article.

"Yeah, I read it last night, what about it?"

"I just thought it might be of interest."

"Yes, it is interesting…wonder how she did it. If she's got an agent, and if we could talk to her, see if she could, or would help us."

"We could find out," Risa said as she reread the article, and scrutinized the picture appearing with it.

"How?"

"I've seen her before! I think I know her! I know I know her!" Risa exclaimed.

"You do?"

"Yes! I remember seeing her and hearing her sing at the Fairbury Opera House. She had the lead in the Pirates of Penzance. She had a pretty good voice then, too!"

I didn't know you were into opera."

"I'm not usually. But a friend of mine, Babs and her sister are. She knows Roberta and asked me to go along to the performance with them, so I did.

"Hey! I can call Babs and see if she'll tell us where Roberta Rogers lives."

"Would she? How would she know where Roberta Rogers lives?"

"Babs' sister knows Roberta very well. They've been friends for years and call each other often. I'll bet she'll tell me."

"Babs?"

"Or her sister -- either one!"

"That will be great! Do you think we can get an introduction?"

"I'm sure of it! I'll call Babs tonight, as soon as I get home! I won't be able to get either one of them later they're always off to somewhere or other. But I'll let you know tomorrow what I find out."

"Good! Now I've got to get back. Talk to you later!"

"Okay. Anita. I'll call you tomorrow!"

With a wave, Anita hurried back to her office, and Risa returned to her work, both women wondering what the next day would bring.