Finding The Author

I'm really annoyed; despite the intention of looking in the Enterprise Library, I haven't been able to find a copy of 'Vanessa' by Ruth Everson.

It had a really, err...interesting start when the shuttle computer started reading it last week, but suddenly it had broke down and deleted the database.

I check with the computer again, while in my Ready Room.

"Do you have the text of 'Vanessa' by Ruth Everson anywhere?" I ask.

"Negative."

"Why not?" I demand to know.

"The book has just been deleted by Starfleet as it has been deemed unsuitable for reading, along with 'The Little Engine That Could' and 'Little Noddy Goes To Toyland'." the computer states in an officious manner.

Good grief.

I try another tack.

"Are there any other books by Ruth Everson in the Enterprise Library" I ask, hoping that there might be a similar book.

"Negative, except for a book written in the 21st Century about Scientology."

"It's not her!" I shout.

Data comes in; maybe he knows something?

"Have you heard of Ruth Everson, Data?" I inquire innocently.

"Yes, Captain." I believed she lived in the 21st Century and..."

"Not her!" I say tiringly, "I mean the author of 'Vanessa'!"

Data thinks for a moment, as if his memory chip is reading the book; lucky him.

"The Ruth Everson in this Century only wrote 'Vanessa' five years ago." he tells me, "She has not written another book since. Miss Everson is very reclusive, and although her publishers have urged her to write another book, she has declined, by saying she has other things to do. No one knows where she is right now."

This is ridiculous; when Data leaves, I turn on my monitor and get in contact with 'Racy Reads', the publishers of 'Vanessa'.

A seedy looking man appears on the screen; he says his name is Rick Racy.

"Yeah, Captain" he tells me with a drawl, "Vanessa" is a popular read of ours. Since it has been banned, it's popularity has soared. Wish we could get Ruth to write another one."

"What do you know about her?" I ask.

"I know that her real name isn't Ruth Iveson" states Racy.

"What is it then?" I ask.

"Hold on, keep your hair on" laughs Racy, "I'll look for it in the files....oh yeah, Ruth's real name is Beverly Crusher."

--------------

Later, I'm in SickBay with Beverly.

"Why didn't you tell me that you wrote 'Vanessa', Beverly" I ask.

"Well, Jean-Luc" she replies, "I didn't want you to think different of me knowing that I wrote that book. Besides, being on the Enterprise took all my time up to write another book. Please don't tell Wes, or any of the other crew-members."

"It'll be our secret" I tell her, "But I do have one request; do you have a copy of your book anywhere?"

"I happen to have one hidden right here that was given to be when it first came out." she says, "Would you like me to read some of it."

"Err..yes please, Beverly."

As Beverly opens the book to start reading, I close this particular entry in my Journal.