Grey's
p. 87 · Read in the full issue
Aggie, of Aggie Grey's
Bloody Mary was a fictitious character invented by James Michener, and Bali Ha’i was a fictitious island for her to live on. Bloody Mary was not Aggie Grey of Western Samoa, but Aggie has long since given up attempting to convince anybody of the fact.
She doesn’t like the reputation, but she is resigned to it. She hasn’t needed that kind of publicity to make Aggie Grey’s Hotel in Apia a mecca for visitors; Aggie’s charm, and her fund of stories, have created the atmosphere of Aggie’s Hotel, and nobody could imagine Aggie’s without Aggie. Aggie’s son Alan, it is true, is a strong influence behind the scenes at Aggie’s place, but the regal Aggie herself continues to act as hostess, as she always did—moving about among her guests, chatting, joking, explaining Samoan customs, advising on what to buy and where to buy it.
Aggie Grey IS Aggie’s. Long may she be queen of all she surveys.