The Name's Oliver - Ben Oliver. Ch. 159: Duty vs Ethics, Pt. II

[Swirl-Girl]

I hope your wrist heals! I'm on the edge of my seat. Go eggplants!!
This is really good, and thank you for telling us about your wrist, instead of dropping off for a month, and popping back in saying, "Sorry!" Thank you for the wonderful story!

[ladybug53]

Oh, this chapter just made my day much brighter . So anxious for the next chapter now . It's going to be so good . Starting to bite my nails .  I really miss your daily updates but hope you are mending well . Take care Schipperke . 

[sdhoey]

UGH!! I'm so behind!! Off to start reading where I left off!! Need to catch up, so much to do.. 

[RainBeau]

Thank you, Schipperke! Always thinking of your readers, that's you. My heart leapt when I saw the new chapter up. I think your plan is good. I too hope you are better by that time. It will be exciting to have everyone see the work we did, and to see each other's work as well! Well, now to keep quiet another week

[Magz from Oz]

Great beginning for the new Ben Oliver adventure.  That boy just falls on his feet doesn't he. 

Hope you are healing well and taking care of yourself. 

[MarianT]

Schip, I just read this and found out about your wrist. Been there, done that, and still remember the most important piece of advice: Keep your wrist elevated. Do put your elbow on the table and use that cushion they gave you. Don't worry about your readers -- we'll still be here when you heal.

[Crystal]

I'm excited about this new development.  Ben and a bevy of beautiful girls.  So not his style!     I'm thinking a cross between Miss Congeniality and It Takes a Thief.  You just get better, Schipperke.  We'll all wait.

[Ausette]

How lovely to see you back again, Schip! I've been worried about you, so it's good to see you still sound like your normal self   . Don't worry about writing new chapters on your wrist, we're quite happy to wait until you're completely sure it's healed.

[Louise56]

What a nice surprise on a blue Monday! I think Ben will have the time of his life lol. I'm glad you feel better, don't worry about writing new chapters. We all wait until you are ready.

[StratfordT]

Just caught up on this terrific story. It's amazing the effort you go through to tell a great story. Looking forward to future updates.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

[Saltypaws]

I do hope you are feeling better soon Schip.  I don't think any of us are going anywhere, you have alot of faithful readers and only want is best for you.  Just rest and  get better.

[Audren]

Alas, Oliver must be so excited for this next assignment! Let's just hope he keeps focused on the plans rather than the ladies. (Love the title, by the way)

I wish you a great and healthy recovery, and I look forward to seeing more of your stories. 

[Magpie2012]

Yay for the new update but you shouldn't be worrying about us Schip! You need to heal up so that we can all have a healthy, happy Schip writing loads of intriguing stories... Get better soon Schip we miss you!  (used to indicate a hug just in case you were wondering if I had a girl-crush or something lol)

[Blayzen]

^^^^ Ditto ^^^^ 

[Schipperke]

Beauty and the Thief, Part II

Diary Entry

De Luca really believed I was going home to sleep?  Never mind sleep!  Never mind caffeine or potent invigorating elixir.  In a few short hours I was going to be surrounded by the most beautiful girls in the world!  I ran all the way to the hotel.





But the contestants weren't due to start arriving for another couple of hours so I settled down to wait in the lobby.  I pulled out the pageant file De Luca had given me and started reading about the five contestants.  A passing thought came into my head, and I made a mental note to ask if the hotel had a hot tub.  Later, Oliver.  Work first.

Theodora Jayne, Miss Sunlit Tides.  Sponsored by Tilia.



Each of the girls had been asked to write a short essay to tell the judges about herself and why she was entering a beauty contest.  I read what Theodora had written:  "I was born in Bridgeport to wealthy parents.  I always hated the city and when I aged up to a child, they let me choose the boarding school that would suit me best.  I chose the School of Peace and Love.

"When I got there, Miss Bliss, the teacher, immediately scooped me into a warm hug and welcomed me to the school.  Immediately I knew that this was where I belonged.  Miss Bliss taught me that all living things deserve respect and love.  My very best friend was a girl named Ursula, who came from Sunlit Tides.  After graduation I returned to Bridgeport but was unhappy with my job there, so when Ursula invited me to join her in Sunlit Tides, I jumped at the chance.



"Ursula is the very best friend I could have.  She's always encouraging me to get out and experience new things.  Life is short, she says, and then she goes and signs me up for things."

Theodora was gorgeous. A girl from the School of Peace and Love who was interested in new experiences?  I figured she and I might be able to find a new experience or two to share.  For a few moments I allowed myself to imagine what sort of special education she might have had at the School of Peace and Love, and resolved to check her out thoroughly.  I went on to the next dossier.

Jamie Jolina, Miss Sunset Valley.  Sponsored by Saltypaws.



Jamie had written:  "My parents divorced when I was rather young and unfortunately, I was forced to live with my father. My dad was gone all day and then left at night, to who knows where, so I had alot of time to myself.  I buried myself in my school work and really had no friends.   When I was 15, my grandmother fell ill, and I was heartbroken when she passed away.



"I really studied hard and finally graduated top of my class.  I thought about what I really wanted to do and it hit me.  I wanted to take care of people, so I packed what few items I had and moved to Sunset Valley.  I landed a job at the hospital there and the work was hard and didn't pay much to start, but I managed to find me a small home.  I realized I was still missing something in my life and it was because I had made no friends.  I decided I needed something to round out my social skills.  I read about a beauty contest, decided on impulse to enter, and much to my surprise I won a place in the pageant!  So that is what brings me here, and I am looking forward to meeting a lot of wonderful people."

In addition to her beauty, Jamie sounded like an incredible young woman to have accomplished so much with so little support from her family.  I was sure I could help her round out her social skills, and I wouldn't object if she wanted to take care of me.

The hotel lobby seemed unusually warm, and I was thirsty.  I decided to take a break before looking at the remaining dossiers.

Diary Entry Ends.

The backstories for the contestants, along with the contestants' answers to pageant questions (which you'll see in an upcoming chapter), were all the creative work of the Top-Hush, Button-Lip Team members.  Most of the photos you're seeing in this chapter and the next one are also from the team members.  As you can see (and will see), they did an incredible job.  All I've done is edit the material a little to condense it.