Bernice Jones

**Bernice** is a secondary character in the third season of Within the Wires. She was the North American Minister for Culture and friend to Michael Witten.

## Biography

In June of 1953, Bernice was involved in organising a midsummer festival in Corpus Christi. According to Director of North American Trade Michael Witten, the events were incredibly entertaining and demonstrated rich cultural history of the Society. This included an opera sung in Caddo.

The festival received some resistance from other parts of the government who believed it was an inefficient use of funds, and going into July Michael assured her that she could count on his support, and also invited her to dinner. Bernice and Miguel eventually did have dinner with Michael and his wife Vivienne, which they all enjoyed. Bernice brought Marlborough wine to their hosts, and Miguel brought a record.

Bernice mentioned also running some youth art initiatives in Oaxaca, and Michael was eager to offer his support, saying that his department was "swimming" in money in need of allocation. Bernice and Vivienne shared a taste in art, especially the work of Claudia Atieno. Michael suggested putting on a play by Niamh Connolly in London.

The play did eventually get staged, although its controversy generated demonstrations against the artists involved. Bernice took some of the blame for the ruckus, but Michael felt the responsibility was with him. The actors involved also apparently found recording devices in their hotel rooms. In February of 1954, Bernice and Miguel visited Chicago, and the weather was dismal. Michael suggested that next summer they might take their neighbour Rayma's boat out on the lake when it was calm and warm. He then related the story of how he and Vivienne met, as the story had been interrupted by the tornado siren.

On April 20, Michael wrote a letter to Bernice in San Antonio asking what her main point of contact had been in the Western European Cultural Offices during the play debacle. He suggested the name Léonie Sirois, who he believed actually worked for Karen Roberts in the Trade Office. He said that he would appreciate seeing copies of any documents with her name on, for a "research project". Michael also inquired about the maternity centres in San Antonio, entertaining the possibility of sending Vivienne down south to finish her pregnancy.

On September 13, Michael wrote to Bernice thanking her for the flowers and wine she sent for his promotion. He said he would save the wine for Vivi's return from the Pregnancy Centre the following month. He also thanked her for her kind words said to the Societal Council on his behalf, and felt reassured by her support. In a postscript, he apologised for his formality and said he hoped Bernice and Miguel could make it up to Toronto sometime. In particular, he suggested they go on a double date to the Claudia Atieno exhibit at the Royal Ontario Museum in spring of 1955.

In 1961, Bernice commissioned an artist for a painting of Vivienne and their cat Constance. They received it in June, and Michael loved the painting, saying it captured Vivi perfectly and showed she and Connie so safe and happy. He asked Timothy to hang the painting above his desk in the office, as Bernice had even had it framed with an intricate oak frame.

## Additional info

* The name "Bernice" means "victory"
* There is a Miguel mentioned in *You Feel It Just Below the Ribs*, an Institute patient in his mid-50s who was apprehended for hiding a granddaughter. The age would be consistent with someone Michael's age in 1975, and Michael's inquiry about the Pregnancy Centres near Bernice could imply they had a child, so it's possible that this Miguel is Bernice's partner.

## References

1. ↑ Season 3, Reel #1: July 3, 1953
2. ↑ Season 3, Reel #2: August 13, 1953
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Season 3, Reel #4: February 15, 1954
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Season 3, Reel #8: April 20, 1954
5. ↑ Season 3, Reel #9: September 13, 1954
6. ↑ Season 3, Reel #10: June 21, 1961
7. ↑ You Feel It Just Below the Ribs, p.358