Sons of Fortune

“Mr. Cartwright, you may be surprised to learn that there are some women on this campus who don’t think you have the automatic right to claim their virginity simply because you’ve won the Medal of Honor.”

“I never thought I did.”

“But you must be aware that half the women on campus claim they’ve slept with you.”

“They may well claim it,” said Nat, “but the truth is that only two of them can prove it.”

“But everyone knows how many girls chase after you.”

“And most of them can’t keep up, as I’m sure you remember.” He laughed, but she didn’t respond. “So why can’t I fall for someone just like anyone else?”

“But you’re not just like anyone else,” she said quietly. “You’re a war hero on a captain’s salary, and as such you expect everyone else to fall in line.”

“Who told you that?”

“Someone who’s known you since your school days.”

“Ralph Elliot, no doubt?”

“Yes, the man you tried to cheat out of the Taft student government presidency…”

“I did what?” said Nat.

“…and then passed off his essay as yours when you applied for Yale,” she said ignoring his interruption.

“Is that what he told you?”

“Yes,” the young woman replied calmly.

“Then perhaps you should ask him why he isn’t at Yale.”

“He explained that you transferred the blame on to him so he lost his place as well.” Nat was about to explode again, when she added, “And now you want to be president of the student senate, and your only strategy seems to be to sleep your way to victory.”

Nat tried to control his temper. “First, I don’t want to run for president, second, I’ve only slept with three women in my life: a student I also knew when I was at school, a secretary in Vietnam, and a one-night stand I now regret. If you can find anyone else, please introduce me because I’d like to meet them.” She stopped and looked at Nat for the first time. “Anyone else,” he repeated. “Now can I at least know your name?”

“Su Ling,” she said quietly.

“Su Ling, if I promise never to try and seduce you until after I’ve asked for your hand in marriage, sought your father’s permission, produced a ring, booked the church, and had the banns read, will you at least let me take you out to dinner?”

Su Ling laughed. “I’ll think about it,” she said. “I’m sorry to rush, but I’m already late for my afternoon lecture.”

“But how do I find you?” asked Nat desperately.

“You managed to find the Vietcong, Captain Cartwright, surely it shouldn’t be too difficult to find me?”

17

“All rise. The State versus Mrs. Anita Kirsten. His Honor Mr. Justice Abernathy presiding.”

The judge took his place and looked toward the defense counsel’s table. “How do you plead, Mrs. Kirsten?”

Fletcher rose from behind the defense table. “My client pleads Not Guilty, your honor.”

The judge looked up, “Are you representing the defendant?”

“Yes, I am, your honor.”

Judge Abernathy glanced down at the charge sheet. “I don’t think I’ve come across you before, Mr. Davenport?”