Mary Jo’s leisure time was mainly spent alone, wandering around the historical centers of the Woodside Museum and the Gothic cottages district with her camera in hand. It was during one such outing that she met a young research science graduate and experienced her first affair. It had been a brief and disappointing relationship, leaving her feeling empty and used. During their second date, they had driven to Niagara Falls where, consumed by the magnificent spectacle and overpowering force of nature’s work, she had willingly surrendered herself to his eager hands, their coupling completed and her date half-dressed, before Mary Jo had even recognized what had transpired. For a time, she retreated to her studies, satisfied to bury herself in activities associated with the demanding, practical applications of photojournalism studies.
Mary Jo had chosen to remain in the dorms right through to graduation.
If anything, she felt a little guilty that her step-father had never once questioned her seemingly endless requests for funds, and decided to apply for a position as a resident adviser in her third year. The quid pro quo required that in consideration for her board, she helped take care of students on her floor. Mary Jo found offering advice, even counseling students not much younger than herself, thoroughly rewarding. The small stipend she received provided her with a sense of accomplishment, knowing that this lessened her dependency on others, and in her final year she took on tutoring.
It soon became apparent to R.I.T. staff that Mary Jo had a most promising talent and they encouraged her in every way. Her practical achievements attracted considerable praise and upon graduation, the Dean arranged a position for her with a mid-western daily. But it was her childhood dreams of travel that continued to drive Mary Jo forward, her restlessness resulting in a reluctant chief-of-staff agreeing to introduce her to an associate in New York, who placed her on probation for three months at the respected news agency. To Mary Jo’s great satisfaction, she excelled and flourished in the Big Apple’s exciting and challenging environment. Mary Jo’s dedication and skill firmly ensconced her within the media corps, and soon became recognized as one of the finest journalists in her profession.
At twenty-three, Mary Jo’s reputation was already well established. Her circle of acquaintances and friends revolved around the competitive media industry and, although she enjoyed a number of brief, sexual skirmishes, she had no real desire to settle down. It therefore came as some surprise to Mary Jo when she fell passionately in love, the whirlwind romance leaving her giddier than even she thought possible. When Eric Fieldmann entered her life, the high-profile, foreign correspondent had swept her away, and Mary Jo gave herself completely, convinced that he was the one.
Her world took on an entirely new meaning. Mary Jo’s friends smiled knowingly whenever she spoke of her lover and their moments together, observing the young, love-stricken woman’s metamorphosis most had experienced whilst still in their teens. Mary Jo’s demeanor softened, her perspectives acquired new dimensions and her attitude towards her career took an unexpected turn. She was earnestly in love and did not care who knew it. To her, Eric Fieldmann was everything she could possibly want in a lover and companion. He was handsome, witty and highly respected by his peers. His voice, smell and their lovemaking constantly invaded her thoughts, every minute of the day. Mary Jo moved her things into his Soho apartment and canceled the lease on her own. She was deliriously happy, and ecstatic when her lover announced that he had decided to settle down.
The affair lasted six months, ending only when distance finally took its toll during a prolonged separation. Fieldmann accepted a position as bureau chief in Rio, and although he had asked Mary Jo to accompany him, the invitation did not come with a ring. Had he proposed, she would have willingly sacrificed her career and followed Eric to South America.
Instead, she declined, deeply distressed that their relationship would end, bitter when he left, without a promise that he might return.
She became introspective and moody. Depressed, Mary Jo often stressed herself beyond acceptable limits and her work suffered, the symptoms easily recognized by friends and workplace associates. Sometimes she would phone Eric at home in Rio just to hear his voice, wishing that their conversations might occasionally lead to something more meaningful than the light-hearted banter which invariably dominated their exchanges. Once, when she identified a woman’s voice answering, Mary Jo had hung up, startled and embarrassed. The realization that she had become an intruder into her former lover’s life prevented Mary Jo from calling again.
When Eric sent cards on her birthdays and at Christmas, she reciprocated, but after a time, even these communications slowed, trickling to an occasional, hurriedly-scribbled note, until finally ceasing altogether as both moved on with their lives. Then, without understanding why, Mary Jo had taken up smoking.
Her chief-of-staff watched Mary Jo with increasing concern, as her performance at work failed to achieve the same high standards she had produced in the past. He took Mary Jo aside and warned her to pull herself together or risk losing her position and the respect of others in the industry. The ultimatum was sufficient to galvanize Mary Jo back into action, heeding the chief ’s sound advice. The quality of her work improved, and she threw herself back into her profession with renewed vigor. The change was significant, even startling. Her confidence returned once she managed to put her personal problems into perspective, and behind her. Soon, Mary Jo was back in the air, covering North American events with even greater energy and dedication than before.
Alone, while resting in her apartment at the end of a long tiring day, Mary Jo often questioned her independent nature and the sacrifices she had made. Fortunately, these rare journeys into the murky world of self-pity quickly passed. She came to terms with what had happened, accepting that the final choice not to proceed to Rio, had really been hers. Jaundiced, but not hardened by the experience, Mary Jo promised to be more careful in her future relationships.
Throughout the following two years, she spent most of her life on flights jetting to destinations even her chief-of-staff had difficulty spelling. Bosnia, Chechnya, and many of the former Soviet satellites whose names were a linguistic nightmare, were all reported in depth, her skillful coverage recognized as amongst the finest journalistic efforts in that year.
Her knowledge of peoples and cultures grew, but only partially satisfying her insatiable appetite for more. Mary Jo’s coverage of the brutal Central African slaughters earned her a Pulitzer nomination, although she was greatly disappointed not to be awarded the prize.
Occasionally there were moments of doubt when she wondered how life might have been, had she followed Eric to South America, but these moments of lapse and self-indulgence were easily dismissed when Mary Jo reminded herself of the fulfilling experiences she continued to enjoy, due to the choices she had made. The satisfaction of knowing that she still had control over her own life, brittle as it sometimes seemed, spurred her forward. Her confidence returned, and she ceased smoking, determined not to fall into that trap again.
The following Spring, her life suddenly took a new and promising turn.
She was offered a senior photojournalist’s position in Hong Kong. Mary Jo had not hesitated, thrilled with the chance to be based in the Far East on permanent assignment, the opening providing her with the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream. Her self-esteem completely restored, Mary Jo became impatient to get under way.
* * * *
‘We’re here, lady,’ the cabby announced, bringing Mary Jo back from her reverie, immediately amused that she had been daydreaming. She waited until the driver unloaded her baggage, then followed the lines of other passengers into the main terminal, and onto the shuttle. An hour later, Mary Jo took a final glimpse of the World Trade Center towers and boarded her flight for Hong Kong, her mind filled with anticipation and excitement, the memories of her relationship with Eric Fieldmann now comfortably washed from her mind.
* * * *
Israel - Tel Aviv
Mossad
Major General Shabtai Saguy sat contemplating the recommendations before him, confident that the Prime Minister would now support the initiatives proposed. The General Staff had approved the covert action,