Pauline & Melissa: young adult

By John Blandly

Pauline, a runaway 16-year old Hollywood actress, checks in at Melissa's parents' motel on the Maine coast. Together they accidentally solve a murder case, and meet a few boys along the way.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AvantPointGuard Books
• Release date: Feb 24, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393849636

John Blandly

John Blandly is an artist, actor, songwriter and filmmaker from upstate New York.

Book preview

Chapter I

The Motel Office

Melissa Adzu thought she was wild. She thought she was hot stuff. She owned a soda machine, had kissed a boy, and was only 13.

Melissa didn’t know wild, though, until she met Pauline Meltdown. Of course, Meltdown was not her real name. But then, what was her name? And who knew it?

Pauline was the answer to the question of whatever happens to those child stars.

They run away.

Pauline had run away.

Pauline met Melissa when she checked into the C-Nick Motel in Bell Harbor, Maine.

Melissa’s parents owned the motel. She was keeping an eye on the office while her father was out cutting the grass. Her mother was in town shopping.

Melissa’s mother never left her in charge of the office by herself. She was afraid of what might happen. But as Melissa often said, to no avail, What can happen?

Her father would sometimes ask her to watch the office when Melissa’s mother was not around. It was usually only for a few minutes. Sometimes he’d be called away to fix a pipe, an air-conditioner, or something else. He really didn’t like working in the office.

It was a cool morning, the first of July, and Melissa was in the office, trying to remember what to do if someone came in, making sure her hair looked O.K., and ready to say, Yeah, I know. I’m young looking for 18. Everybody says that. I’m going to Dartmouth in the fall. She rehearsed this in the mirror. Then she straightened out the postcard rack near the front door.

She had just finished the bottom row, and spun the rack around, when a dark haired girl in sunglasses rushed into the office and went past her up to the front desk.

You got our reservation? the girl said, to no one in particular. She looked behind the counter and rang the bell twice.

Yes? Melissa said, a bit unnerved, as she hurried behind the counter. And your name?

Blakely. There are three of us.

Three of you? She fumbled through the reservation cards for a moment. I don’t see any Blakely. No B’s at all. When did you call?

Well, my father called. He said he did. He’s forgetful. He’s been so busy. I see your vacancy sign is up. Do you have a room?

Melissa looked over the keys. There were five left. The calendar showed two reservations, Yes, I think we—

She stopped short. The girl had gone to the door and was saying something to somebody outside. Melissa couldn’t see who it was. The girl came back in.

So, do you have anything? she asked.

Yes, Melissa said. A nice room with two single beds. But you said you had three in your party.

Yeah, but I’ll just use a cot. You have a cot, right?

Sure, Melissa said. We can have a cot put in.

Great, the girl said. How much?

Ninety-eight dollars, plus tax.

O.K.

Just fill this out, Melissa said, handing her a registration card. Cash or credit?

Cash, the girl said. She pulled out two one hundred dollar bills from a tiny black sequined handbag and put them on the counter.

One night? Melissa asked.

The girl was staring out the window.

Oh, yeah, she said. Here. She pulled out two more hundred-dollar bills. Three nights. She paced the office from the counter to the door and back.

Melissa handed

Reviews for Pauline & Melissa

[Icy Rivers · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Pauline is a 16 year old runaway actress. She stays at a motel on the Maine coast run by Melissa's parents. Melissa is almost 15. A mobster checks a stripper into a hotel room. Pauline and Melissa learn about a cold case mystery. Recommended noir crime fiction.