Die Zeit der Frau / The Time of the Woman

By Jo-Ann Ong

Rita, a modern woman, forges an acting career, while her partner Karl writes scripts. She meets many people – her Uncle Fred, Bertha, Peter, Edwina – and moves with Karl from Boston to Switzerland for his work.

Her childhood imagination springs to life when the circus comes to town. As Uncle Fred falls for Yuki, Rita connects with her, making a pen-pal. Relationships interweave between the cast, underscoring the busy modern world where paths constantly cross.

Traveling from Boston to Munich stirs Rita’s longing for the mother she never met, and motivates her search. Karl eventually wins an Academy Award, but accepts it without attending, in his signature style. Through it all, Rita and Karl’s bond endures, a rarity in these turbulent times.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: May 24, 2024
• ISBN: 9781035856374

Jo-Ann Ong

Jo-Ann Ong studied law at the University of Sheffield from 1990 to 1993 and acquired a master’s degree in banking law from Boston University in 1994. During her free time, she enjoys piano playing and looking after her pets. She lives in Melbourne and has recently completed a master’s degree in international relations from Monash University.

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About the Author

Jo-Ann studied law at Sheffield University from 1990 to 1993 and acquired a master’s degree in banking law from Boston University in 1994. During her free time, she enjoys piano playing and looking after her pets. Jo-Ann lives in Melbourne and has recently completed a master’s degree in international relations from Monash University.

Dedication

I would like to dedicate this book to my birth parents.

Copyright Information ©

Jo-Ann Ong 2024

The right of Jo-Ann Ong to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781035856350 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781035856374 (ePub e-book)

ISBN 9781035856367 (Audiobook)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published 2024

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd®

1 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5AA

Acknowledgement

I would like to acknowledge the talents of the scriptwriters and musicians of the world.

The Characters

Rita

Karl

Bertha

Peter

Heidi: The secretary of Karl

Linny: The child of Bertha

Vinny: The younger child of Bertha

Diane: Karl’s assistant at the office

David: The waiter

Martha: The waitress

Dr Dennis

Uncle Fred

Aunt Edwina

Tom: Aunt Edwina’s chauffeur

Sabina: The secretary at the Academy

Mani: The Swiss policeman

Richard: The client of Karl

Yuki: The wife of Uncle Fred

Chow Chee: Charles, the dog of Bertha

Chapter 1

It was a sunny day. Rita is dressed in her best dress. She walks slowly to the cinema as she has to call Karl on the phone. Rita is a thirty-eight-year-old attractive woman. Before she met Karl, she was a student at the prestigious Ally Acting School in Boston, United States. She was served as a part-time cook in a restaurant which served seafood. Rita had met Karl while he was at the restaurant where she cooked. Rita had served Karl on several occasions whereupon he once left his telephone number on the receipt. They met over drinks one night after her shift and became acquainted. Now a couple, Rita tries to call Karl on the phone. Hello, Heide, is Karl in? asks Rita. One moment please, said Heidi. Karl answers the phone eagerly. Have you read the magazine? asks Karl. No I haven’t, I had to clean my car, said Rita. Karl is a screenwriter for many films. He had recently attended an interview which the reporters published in a film magazine. He was hoping that Rita had read the interview.

Okay, I’ll speak to you later, said Karl.

I will be waiting for you at the café, said Rita.

See you then, said Karl.

Rita looked at her wristwatch; then she went to a café that was standing nearby. She does not see anyone on the street. A while later, she ordered