Free Ms America and the Brouhaha on Broadway by Diana Dempsey

the female lawyer asks as an assistant provides a glass of water. All three attorneys seat themselves across from me behind an electronic barricade of laptops and tablets.
    “Very much.” I’m about to say more when I realize that my goals for Manhattan sightseeing would sound unbelievably prosaic to this crew. I sip my water instead.
    “So you are the Ms. America titleholder,” says the antiseptic-wipe lawyer. “And you will be in that position for how long?”
    “My reign lasts until September.” Normally I’m thrilled to describe my “reign,” but as the word leaves my lips this gang can barely restrain themselves from smirking. “I’ll crown my successor at the next Ms. America pageant,” I add. It is not a moment I look forward to, but I keep that to myself.
    The female lawyer slips on a pair of tortoiseshell eyeglasses. “Tell us about your relationship with Sebastian Cantwell.”
    “I think so highly of him,” I begin. “Under his leadership, the prize money for the Ms. America pageant has gotten really substantial, so many”—I suddenly don’t want to use the phrase beauty queens —“contestants consider him quite generous. As I do. He’s been a real boon for the pageant, a terrific owner.” I give myself a pat on the back for that. I prepared it in advance and am pleased I got it out first thing.
    The second male lawyer pipes up. “If you don’t mind my asking, how much prize money did you win?”
    I hesitate only a moment before I remember that it is public information after all. “Two hundred fifty thousand dollars.”
    The lawyers look at each other. “I’m sure that goes a long way in Cleveland,” Antiseptic Wipe says half under his breath.
    I can’t help bristling.
    “We don’t need to get into the details of the case,” Antiseptic Wipe goes on, “but shall I explain to you why you’re here?”
    “I understand why I’m here.” That comes out sort of snappy, but I’m not liking this lawyer. First he’s snobby; then he’s insulting. I temper my tone. “You would like me to provide character evidence for Mr. Cantwell.”
    The female lawyer jumps back in, after throwing Antiseptic Wipe a glare I think he very much deserves. “That’s exactly right, Ms. Pennington. In the event this case goes to trial, we’ll be eager to show the jury how honest and forthright Sebastian Cantwell is in his dealings.”
    “It goes without saying,” the second male lawyer says, “but please speak frankly with us. It’s important that you be completely honest and put everything out on the table now. If there’s anything lawyers don’t like, it’s surprises.”
    We all cough out a laugh.
    “So,” he goes on, “can you tell us in what ways you’ve found Sebastian Cantwell to be honest?”
    “I’ve always found him to be very straightforward. I know where I stand with Mr. Cantwell. He never tries to put anything over on me.”
    “He deals appropriately with you?” the female lawyer asks. “He’s professional and businesslike?”
    “Absolutely. I really feel I can trust him. When he says he’ll do something, he does it. He’s helped me out several times,” I add for good measure.
    The female lawyer types madly on her laptop keyboard. “It sounds like you knew Sebastian Cantwell before you won your title.”
    “Well, only by reputation. Mr. Cantwell is a colorful personality, as you know, so he stands out.”
    The second male lawyer frowns at me. “So you’ve known Cantwell only four months? Have you gotten to know him well during that time?”
    I hesitate. “I can’t really say I’ve gotten to know him well .” That seems to fall flat. I try again. “But we speak to each other at least once a month.”
    “That’s only four conversations,” Antiseptic Wipe observes. “But we can make it work. Needless to say, you’ve never known him to engage in any unethical behavior.”
    I open my mouth and then snap it shut again as a memory swims into my brain. Silence