Third Time Is a Charm

by Ed Nelson

  We went down to the staging area where the girls lined up in presentation order. The guys were told to stand over in a line and join our dates when told and please be quiet.

  There was a stir in the line. One of the girls escort was wearing a standard suit with a white bow tie. She was moved to the back of the line. From what I could figure out he was her brother and they hadn’t understood the dress code or couldn’t obtain the tailcoat.

  By placing her last it was to be hoped that her faux pas wouldn’t distract from the event, at least not much, again a young lady in tears.

  I asked Steve if any of the escorts did double duty. He told me that he had never heard of it. I went over to Judy and explained my thought. She replied she knew I was a knight in shining armor. Well I am a knight, no armor though.

  I then approached the woman who was in charge of lining up the ladies. When I explained my thought she actually hugged me.

  From there I went to the young lady whose name was Diane and told her that since Judy was one of the first in line that I could escort Judy down, take a service elevator backup and escort her down if she would like that. I received a very tight hug from the well-endowed young lady. This Rick to the rescue was working out well! I looked over at Judy and she held up her nose but was smiling.

  I was introduced to the mother and a relieved brother. It went down quickly and to this day I do not remember their names. Then to avoid logistics problems I found a Neil House staff member and explained what was going on. He showed me the route I would have to take in reverse. No one was allowed now on the grand staircase.

  It all went off without a hitch. Judy introduced to society, service elevator back up and a five minute wait then escort Diane down. I took Diane to her table where her family and boyfriend were waiting. I don’t think the boyfriend knew what to think of me.

  I had introduced myself as Rick Jackson and I don’t think they realized who I was. This was fine with me.

  Judy and I had a wonderful time waltzing together. She didn’t hesitate to get up close and personal. We worked our way around to the other side of the room where I got a hair curling kiss.

  This gave me hopes for later, but after the dance we along with mothers retired to the suite. Steve packed up and left because he had things to do on the weekend. This left me as an odd man out and no way to get with Judy in private.

  It is really nice being woken up by a kiss.

  “Rick, quick get up and brush your teeth, the moms just went down to breakfast so we have a little while. Connie is our lookout.”

  Now that was a wakeup call! I was out of bed in a flash, peed and was brushing my teeth and having dreams of the glory to come. It was not to be. Just as I was rinsing my mouth out I heard Connie hissing Judy.

  It seems the mothers had forgotten something and came back to the suite to pick it up. I heard Judy’s mom as I was pulling on some clothes.

  “Oh good you girls are up, you can join us for breakfast. Is Rick awake?”

  “I don’t know mom.”

  I knew when to cut my losses, so I let them know I was getting dressed and would be with them in a minute.

  I wondered why the two mothers would look at each other in the elevator and break out laughing. I think I knew what they had done.

  “Did you find what you had forgotten?” Butter wouldn’t melt in my mouth.

  This got the girls attention.

  “Mother do you mean that you came back to the room to check up on me?”

  “Should I have dear?”

  Fortunately we arrived at the lobby so Judy never had to answer that question, at least when I was around. We had a nice leisurely breakfast and then returned to our rooms to pack. A bellhop took the bags downstairs, while mine were to be forwarded to the airlines to be shipped home.

  The ladies all accompanied me to the street where my limo waited. They had their own vehicles in the hotel parking garage.

  I thanked everyone for a wonderful time. I got bold and hugged Judy and she turned it into a kiss. It was the sort you would do in front of your mother. Still it was nice. The hug also reminded me of how well nature had provided for her.

  Her mother didn’t take offense. I said a final goodbye until our next date. I was reminded to call Judy when I got home.

  The trip to the airport and boarding the plane was uneventful.

  Chapter 44

  I had a window seat as usual. A nondescript man sat beside me.

  He introduced himself as Fred.

  He obviously recognized me as he started quizzing me after takeoff.

  He asked how I felt now that I had murdered a guy. I didn’t have to punch him out as the co-pilot came back and invited me upfront. I couldn’t get there fast enough.

  I thought it was the usual invitation I got from TWA flight crews because of my earlier adventure with them. It was different.

  “Rick, do you know the guy sitting next to you?”

  “No, but I don’t like his attitude.”

  “Our head stewardess recognized his name on the passenger list. He is Fred Otash who works with the scandal sheets. Be very careful what you say to him.”

  “Thank you and the crew very much. You have helped me dodge a bullet. I’ve not been approached like this before.”

  I returned to my seat. Mr. Otash stood up to let me in.

  “Thank you Mr. Otash and I have no comments.”

  He grinned and said, “It was worth a try. I saw you in the lounge and found out the seat next to you was empty so I upgraded.”

  “Well you paid for a first class seat, I’m not certain about the upgrade.”

  Not the smartest thing to say, but I doubted he would ever be a friend. I spent the rest of the flight reading one of my school books. Let them report that. I can see the headlines now.

  “Star can read.”

  “Sir Rick resorts to books as he can’t find companionship.”

  Or my favorite as the book include the Salem witch craft trials.

  “Sir Richard Jackson is into witchcraft.”

  They will print what they want and I will ignore them.

  As we were getting off the plane Otash spoke to me.

  “Mr. Smartass this trip will never see print, so you have missed out on some publicity.”

  How do you even respond to that? I just nodded and kept moving. I did thank Miss Carlson the Flight Attendant who had recognized Otash. I wondered what she reads that she knew of him. I owed her sincere thanks no matter what she read.

  A limo was waiting and I got home just in time for dinner. My trip was the main topic of conversation. The guys wanted to know more about Track 61. Mum and Mary about the ball.

  There were so many questions that we adjourned to a sitting room and continued.

  Dad was most interested in my descriptions of President Hoover and General MacArthur. Mum more so with anything connected with China. By the time it was done I understood what a spy must feel like after being debriefed.

  I did remember to call Judy. We both agreed that we had a wonderful time and that her mother was a fink. I told her that while flying home I realized that having a car and driver on my trips wouldn’t ever give us an opportunity to be alone. I was thinking about buying a car in Columbus.

  She thought that was a neat idea. I could leave it at her house and she could pick me up at the airport. And of course I wouldn’t mind if she used it occasionally. I told her that sounded okay with me. I realized that I had just effectively offered to buy my girlfriend a car. I would have to think this through some more.

  After hanging up I read the rest of the stories in my magazine and called it a night.

  I didn’t know it was possible to wake up tired, but I did. I guess the last week was a tough one. By the time I did my workout, ran then cleaned up for breakfast I was in better shape.

  I decided to take it easy today, no studying. I certainly wasn’t going flying. I don’t think I was mentally sharp enough for it. I did saddle up and go riding for
several hours. Again I was lucky with no critters attacking me.

  After lunch I took a book up to the tower and lay in the sun. It was protected from the wind which made it nice on this seventy degree day. I pity my friends in Ohio.

  We later had dinner then played Monopoly. Mary cleaned house and she didn’t have any help from Mrs. Hernandez. I wondered what she would be when she grew up. After that we watched TV and called it a night.

  I felt better today than I did yesterday, not one hundred percent but much better. Last week was a tough week. After my work out and run I was ready for the day. A hot shower had me ready to go.

  At breakfast Mum had yesterday’s New York Times.

  “Anything you forgot to tell us Rick?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “The newspaper says you have a girlfriend.”

  “I had to say something to the reporter and it helped keep all the girls off me.”

  “Does Judy know about this?”

  “Not that but she is now my steady girlfriend. I asked her in Columbus.”

  “You gave her your class ring?”

  “Yes.”

  “So you will probably be allowed to live.”

  Mary had to ask, “Did you kiss her?”

  “None of your business squirt.” But my blush gave me away.

  As I left the room Denny, Eddie, and Mary were all chanting, Rick and Judy sitting in a tree K I S S I N G.

  Now what to do besides run away from the brats. That decision was made for me with a phone call from the studio. Their voice coach was ready for me, and the school wanted me to contact them. I told the secretary I would be there in an hour. I also asked her if she wanted donuts and coffee. Always keep the secretaries on your side.

  I stopped at Randy’s Donuts which is very distinctive because of the giant donut on top of the store. I started to order a dozen then thought better and made it five dozen. It was a large office with lots of secretaries. They also had coffee in carafes to go.

  Waving at the new guard who let me through based on my sticker I got lucky and found a parking spot up front. I carried everything into Mr. Monroe’s outer office and gave them to his office assistant.

  “These are for secretaries only today. If they want to share they can but don’t have to.”

  There, that would get things stirred up, it would soon be known which bosses were liked, and which weren’t. As you can tell I wasn’t feeling very charitable with the studio management.

  I worked my way back to the music studio area. A Helen Marshal was waiting for me. She was a contract worker trying to break into the music industry. She did voice coaching to pay the rent. This was a very common story around here.

  We hit it off fine. First of all she had me read the song to her. It was an easy read. Then she told me to read it faster. I did. In doing so I noticed that the song had a natural rhythm to it. It was not quite a chant. Next it was faster. Before you knew it I was singing the song.

  The funny part it didn’t feel forced as all my other attempts. She had me run through it several times, making certain I took breaks in between and sipped on water.

  I asked why I only could sip the water, was too much bad for my voice?

  “No too much and you will have to keep taking breaks to pee.”

  “Oh.”

  For that in my next run through I used my British accent. She got a funny look on her face.

  “Do it again exactly the same.”

  I did. She then turned on a tape recorder. After another trial she played it back to me.

  I was stunned, it didn’t sound like anything I had ever done before. It was a lively fun tune that made you want to tap your feet. Most importantly it sounded good!

  Next she handed me a fiddle. This is a downhome word for violin. I asked if there were any differences between the two.

  “A fiddle is used by those who want to interpret the music their way, the violin is made to play the music as directed. The arch of the bridge of a violin is higher so it is easier to play a single note as directed. That said they both can be used though a fiddle would sound blurred in an orchestra. “

  “Rick I won’t be able to teach you how to play the fiddle, but I can teach you how to fake it.”

  My fake playing turned out to be large motions with my arms and shoulders. Any close ups would be a real fiddle players hands. She made a phone call and we were joined by Louis Spohr who would be my hands double. We did several run throughs of the song for him.

  He then proceeded to play the song on the fiddle. It had bounce to it. I wanted to dance a jig or whatever was appropriate. When I asked, I was told a Virginia reel would work. When I asked what that was I learned it was what I called square dancing.

  Louis really had fun with the song. When the girl would run to buy something he would walk his fingers across the instrument in a running motion while making the sound of the steps with his other hand. The soldier got a marital beat when his turn came.

  We then performed the song with me singing with my accent and Louis playing the fiddle. It was special is all I can say.

  I wasn’t the only one who thought that.

  When we were finished, Helen said, “Rick this is too good to let go, you need to sing in the movie.”

  Insanity took hold. “I agree.”

  Before I could withdraw that statement she was on the phone again. After a five minute break Mr. Monroe and the movie Director walked through the door. Well I said I would do it, not being one to back down from my word I sang the song once more with my British accent.

  No one said anything for a minute after we finished.

  “Rick, do you want to release the record before the film release or after. There are arguments both ways.”

  “Mr. Monroe if the song bombs the movie might bomb. If the movie makes it the song might, the bigger investment is the movie. We should protect that.”

  “As usual your thinking is very clear. We will do it that way.”

  “That said you are a bad boy, I have had complaints all over the place about why some people are getting donuts this morning and others aren’t.”

  “You should talk to those not sharing. There is probably a pattern of several secretaries not sharing with a particular boss.”

  “Oh you are a right bastard aren’t you?”

  “Aside from the language I have learned from the best of the best.”

  He had the grace to blush. I couldn’t help it but started laughing. After a moment he joined in, and just like that our problems were past us.

  Chapter 45

  He invited me to lunch. As usual the scene was colorful with extras walking around in their costumes. There were the normal cowboys and Hercules types. 1920’s gangsters, college preppies and WWII soviet soldiers were different.

  What really caught my eye were Mr. Sinatra, Mr. Martin, Mr. Davis Jr. and Mr. Lawford sitting two tables over. I had to say hello to the famous rat pack. Mr. Sinatra told me they were in the process of robbing Las Vegas. I wished them luck.

  Mr. Sinatra went on that I still owed him another song. I stuttered at that and admitted that I hadn’t really given it much thought. My brain caught up with my mouth and I told him about Soldier, Soldier. The group got a laugh at it. We talked for a little while and then I rejoined Mr. Monroe who had ordered for us.

  “Rick would you like to do a walk on in their movie?”

  “Not really, I have so much going on right now that I don’t have the time. I’m still going to finish high school by next summer.”

  “More power to you. I feel like we are losing you from our business.”

  “I haven’t completely decided yet but it is possible. I will be going to college somewhere full time then there are my other business interests.”

  “Are your other businesses doing well?”

  “Let’s put it this way, I’m almost at the point I could buy the studio.”

  “My god Rick, I had no idea.”

  “It seems totally
unreal to me but the money just keeps flowing in. My financial people predict that I could end up the richest person in the world. I don’t see that, but money will never be an issue. If nothing else my parents have almost as much.”

  “Your family is an incredible group Rick.”

  “Just wait until Mary is let loose on the world.”

  He didn’t know what to make of that so changed the subject.

  “Have you thought about financing your own movies?”

  “That is a No. I have seen what goes on in this world. It is too much of a gamble for me. Well, except for the documentary on the container business.”

  “How is that going?”

  “It’s going pretty good from what I have been told. My only part will be as a background commentator and to be seen with the Presidents and Prime Ministers of the countries involved.”

  “You say that like you are used to meeting Presidents every week.”

  ‘Well I did meet President Hoover last week.”

  “I read about that event at the Waldorf. How long did that take to put together?”

  “About fifteen minutes.”

  “What!”

  I then proceeded to tell him the whole story. He really got a kick out of General MacArthur. People seemed to love or hate the General with few in between.

  My next stop was the school to see Miss Sperry. She wanted me here at this particular time. I wondered what was up. When I entered the one room school house (which actually was used as a set when needed), she and a person I hadn’t met where there.

  “Thank you Rick for stopping by, this is Dr. Dixon. He is with the State of California Department of Education. There are some concerns with your academic standing. I didn’t realize that until this meeting. He called and requested it without expressing them, so I’m just as much in the dark as you. He has given me a complete set of new exams.”

  From the nasty glare he gave her he didn’t like her sharing what she had. It was apparent he was not on our side after ambushing her and now me.

  “It is nice to meet you Dr. Dixon, do you have a card.”