The Conservationists: Chapter 1
In spite of the excitement of the occasion, Alma Higginbotham couldn’t help feeling disappointed in the prosaic venue where the event was going to take place. The original plan was that she present her findings beneath the canopies of the endangered oak trees in City Park, a suitable location considering the subject matter, but four days of persistent rain had forced a program change.
The University had come to the rescue by offering the sociology department’s lecture hall as an alternate venue. It turned out to be a cramped space with walls the color of glazing putty, and an atmosphere equally exciting. Seating consisted of rows of uncomfortable folding chairs of the same uninspiring hue. Disappointing certainly, but Alma found consolation in the fact that the hall was already packed with people, and in the belief that her presentation would stun the Conservation Society with the impact of a bombshell.
“Sensational,” she said out loud, really not meaning to.
“Are you referring to your appearance or your presentation?” a voice came from behind.
Alma turned and found herself looking into the smiling face of Thomas Pomeroy. Thomas was blessed with a large family fortune and a sharp mind. Added to the combination was thick, golden hair, a smile so blindingly white as to be the envy of any shark, living or extinct, a physique honed by the rigors of the tennis court and polo field, and the fact that there wasn’t a Mrs. Pomeroy. Alma could be readily forgiven for having entertained certain secret fantasies involving him.
“The presentation, of course,” Alma said, wishing in the same instant that she could have come up with a wittier response. She blushed slightly, which made her otherwise pale features look rather fetching.
“Sensational, indeed,” Thomas said, and placed his hand casually on her arm. “If even half of what I hear is true it will be a scientific discovery of giant proportions. No really, we’re talking about a world-class discovery. This is the most eagerly anticipated presentation in years. Just look at the size of this audience. This, my dear Alma, is Natural History in the making.”
“Aren’t you exaggerating a little?”
“Not at all, Alma. I overheard Thalia say something about a nomination for the Naturalist of the Year Award. Just imagine. The illustrious Miss Higginbotham, Naturalist of the Year!”
By now Alma felt certain that Thomas was making fun of her. How mean of him. This was supposed to be her big moment, and all he could do was deride her. A little encouragement would have been in order.
“Nothing would excite me more than an opportunity to discuss your discovery with you after the presentation. Will you do me the honor?”
“Don’t talk rubbish, Tom,” Alma said and turned away, thinking that he had plenty enough fun at her expense.
“But it’s true, every word,” he called after her.
Almost as if on cue Thalia Montagu-Clarke’s voice cut through the din like a clarion call.
“May I have your attention, ladies and gentlemen?”
Thalia was a woman endowed with natural authority, and, although technically speaking it was phrased as a question, her request was immediately granted by everyone inside the lecture hall. That is, everyone with the exception of Mr. Montagu-Clarke, a round little man with a neatly trimmed silver mustache, who was sleeping quietly in a chair in the back of the room.
“This evening we will witness something extraordinary. As you all know, Strix aluco, the tawny owl, was once widespread. You also know that, for a very long time, it has been absent from our woodlands. Most experts, as well as many knowledgeable amateur ornithologists, myself included, believed the tawny owl to be extinct. That is, until it was recently rediscovered in the wild by one of our very own, most devoted observers of nature, Miss Alma Higginbotham.”
At the mention of Alma’s name the audience erupted in spontaneous applause, and it took the formidable Mrs. Montagu-Clarke several minutes to restore the order.
“Imagine a species rising like Lazarus from the dead! This is the magnitude of Miss Higginbotham’s discovery. Fortunately for all of us, Miss Higginbotham captured this momentous discovery in footage that we will view shortly. Following the showing Miss Higginbotham will speak a few words about the circumstances surrounding her remarkable discovery. After that hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served in anticipation of the main course: You will have the opportunity to examine the evidence of this utterly significant discovery in person. Please welcome Miss Alma Higginbotham.”