Chapter 2

The Midsumma...

‘Mardi Gras’ Policewomen

Like most events like its’ kind, ‘The Midsumma’ Festival had been born of Protest. It was now however, more of a celebration – the irony though, was that Lesbianism in Victoria, was still against the Law. Cunnilingus was still prescribed as ‘Gross Indecency’ by the old 1955 Crimes Act, and despite the open tolerance of what happened at ‘The Midsumma’ Festival, there was little political will to amend the statutes.

There formal parade was no longer a part of the proceedings. There had been a great deal of controversy when Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon had marched some years earlier. ‘The Midsumma’ was more of a wild ‘Party’ now – that had been what Kelly and the other bi-sexual and lesbian police officers from the Elwood ‘Uniform Branch’ had really been looking forward to. The politics of the past had been replaced by the likes of the late Renee Geyer, Ruby Rose and Kylie Minogue.

Not that there hadn’t been some controversy...?

Three years earlier, a notorious half-case Aboriginal hermaphrodite had caused a stir – the kinky ‘Stripper’ had once been a celebrated ‘Cabaret Performer’ from the nearby ‘Les Girls’ Revue on The Esplanade, had long been a ‘regular’ at ‘The Midsumma’ Festival, and she’d gained a certain notoriety more than once. Nobody however, had expected Davina to impregnate several policewomen at ‘The Midsumma’ some three years before.

Sergeant Charlene ‘Charli’ Bucton, Senior Constable Katarina ‘Kat’ Chapman, Constable Georgina Watson, Constable Chelsea Campbell and ‘Trainee’ Constable Rose Delaney had all been forced to resign from the Victoria Police – Senior Constable Danni Frances and ‘Probationary’ Constable Amanda King having been dismissed in ‘disgrace’...

Alone with her thoughts, ‘Probationary’ Constable Kelly O’Rourke continued to gaze across at the three policewomen on the other side of The Esplanade from where she stood. There was a cordon of Security around the area designated for ‘The Midsumma’ – it was a necessary precaution. After what had happened in previous years, there was an understanding that no males or transsexuals were permitted to attend, nor were the news media present. In a clever move, ‘The Midsumma’ Festival had been scheduled for the same weekend as both the New Year Cricket Test and ‘Australian Open’ Tennis, so few journalists were ever a problem.

Senior Constable Diana Webster smiled – she knew Kelly but the young twenty-two year old blonde didn’t seem to recognise her. The former ‘Miss Victoria Police’ was handing out literature. Not far away, both Constable Jane Bell and Senior Constable Margaret Stewart from the ‘Public Relations’ Division were also circulating pamphlets too. ‘The Midsumma’ was still political in many respects.

Kelly had seen them all at the Briefing, but she didn’t know them. Nonetheless, she studied each of them in turn from her vantage point by the Catani Gardens.

Senior Constable Belinda Preston was sharing a joke with Senior Constable Rochelle De La Rue. And much to Kelly’s delight, the older policewoman, Senior Sergeant Monica Draper, was contentedly kissing an attractive businesswoman by the kerb on Acland Street...

“S-So, this is ‘The Midsumma’ huh...?”

Kelly hadn’t realised that she was no longer alone,

“You like that, do you?” enquired Savannah – she worked at ‘The Crazy Horse’ Strip Club in Melbourne. Along with her girlfriend, Savannah Richardson had been drawn to the young blonde policewoman standing all alone...

“Hello there...?” greeted Cheyenne – Kelly uttered a gasp.

“Hi...?” Savannah added – she was studying Law at the prestigious Melbourne University too,

“You up for a little ‘fun’ this morning, Constable O’Rourke?” the ‘Stripper’ then asked, reading the issue nametag that the policewoman wore,

“M-Maybe...?” responded Kelly - Cheyenne McNamara took a gentle hold of her left arm.

Kelly Maree O’Rourke did nothing to stop the ‘Escort’ as she began to carefully trace the woven ‘Victoria Police’ patch on the young policewoman’s shirtsleeve with the very tip of her finger.

“You’re first time at ‘The Midsumma’ huh...?” enquired Cheyenne.

Like her girlfriend, she too was financing her studies at Melbourne University by working as a lesbian prostitute and ‘Escort’ – Savannah took hold of Kelly’s right arm,

“I’m quite sure,” she whispered in the policewoman’s ear, “I would have remember you, Kelly?”

Kelly nodded. Savannah began to caress her arm – from the other side of The Esplanade, both Lindy and Belinda was now watching Kelly with the two attractive ‘twenty something’ brunettes.

“My name’s Savannah...”

“S-Savannah... ‘ Kelly acknowledged – she glimpsed another short-sleeved policewoman’s uniform shirt, but had yet to realise that that Susie was approaching.