The Professor and the Showgirl
The club was thick with smoke, the music was loud and fast. I guess this is what passes for music in 1938. I'm more of a classical kind of person, you know, Bach and Beethoven. People had to sit extremely close just to hear one another; not a place I would normally would have frequented but my father insisted I look for my cousin. My cousin Ty was on one of his lost weekends up in New York, which the family doesn't mind, but when father received the call from Ty saying he was in love and wasn't coming home, well, that's where I come in to fetch the poor bastard before he embarrasses the family.
I barely heard someone trying to get my attention through all the noise. "Ma'am, oh Ma'am." I turned around to see the coat check girl. That's right, I'm still dressed for the cool New York streets. I smiled at her a little self-conscious and passed her my coat and hat. I then turned to start looking for Ty when I heard the coat check girl once more. "Ma'am you forgot your ticket." Yep, this night was turning out just perfect, I thought to myself. I walked back as the coat check girl just politely smiled holding the ticket out for me to grab. Then an idea struck me. I took the ticket graciously offered and asked "Excuse me, but you wouldn't happen to know if Ty Blue is here tonight?" She looked at me with an expression I just couldn't place. It was like she knew him, possibly on a more intimate level. "Oh Ty, yah he's here, he's always here." she said with a slight giggle. Perhaps this was the young lady that Ty kept going on about. "I was wondering if it isn't too much trouble, if you could show me to where he was sitting." She looked me up and down, making me feel more awkward than I was already feeling. I wasn't dressed for a club; the other women were wearing gorgeous sequined gowns, where I was in a conservative winter white short blazer and matching skirt. It was more suited for an office than a club, although quite fashionable and the colour played off my mocha skin nicely. "Sure, why not. It's not like you could cause any trouble." She walked out from behind the counter and we entered the club, snaking through the crowds of people having fun, talking, and some sitting eating dinner with friends.
The coat check girl seated me at a table with an already opened bottle of champagne set in the middle. I thanked her as I tucked my seat under the table, but she wasn't paying any attention. It appeared she was looking around for someone. I glanced up at her with a questioning expression on my face. She noticed. "Sorry doll, I guess he's stepped out for a moment. I'm sure he'll be back soon, until then enjoy the show." With that she walked back to the coat check counter waiting for more guests to arrive and enjoy the evening.
I sat at the table looking around taking in the spectacle that is night life in New York. Women in flashy dresses dancing with gentlemen in evening suits. People around me flying high on cocktails and laughing at conversations they're not even part of. I look at the champagne sitting on the table. I don't normally drink but I thought, why not? I pour myself a glass of the bubbly fluid and took a sip. As the sweet liquid hit my lips, I noticed it falling down the front of my blazer. Stunned, I just sat there trying to figure what had just happened when I saw a hand grabbing a napkin laying on the table to help clean me off. "I'm so sorry" the lyrical voice said. I glanced up to see who that enchanting voice belonged to and I can't help but stare. She was breathtaking. Nope, that doesn't begin to describe her. Her skin was like that of a porcelain china doll, her eyes had the depth of eternity in them, and her hair was as fiery as a phoenix. My God, I've never seen a woman so beautiful in my life!
So naturally, I forgot the entirety of the English language when she asked me if I was all right, answering in what I think was some sort of audible sound but nothing coherent. "Are you sure you're all right? I didn't mean to bump into you. You know this place is just so full of people." she said as she finished dabbing the rest of the champagne from my jacket. I didn't know what to say, so with all of my Ivy League knowledge I come up with "Um, yeah crowded." She decided to sit across from me. "Well let me know if you want me to have your jacket sent out for cleaning. Harvey, the manager of this place, knows a guy down in Chinatown that does wonders with all things textile." I stare at her and she's waiting for my answer. Come on brain, please just work. "No, I don't think that's necessary. I think we got it all out and it could have been worse." "And how's that?" she said with a glint of levity in her voice. "Well for starters, it could have been red wine." She laughed at my answer and we sat smiling at each other in silence. I quietly thanked my brain for being on my side this time.
The music from the band started getting louder with what seemed to be an intro for the next act to start. That music seemed to get the mysterious woman's attention. "Well that's my cue" she almost sang. I looked at her, confused for a moment and like an idiot I ask her "Your cue for what?" She started to stand and then she moved my way, displaying the most devilish smile I've ever seen. As she whispered in my ear, I could feel her hot breath on my neck. "You'll just have to wait and see, but don't worry you won't be disappointed." With that, she walked up to the stage and stood behind the mike. Great, not only have I forgotten once again how to speak but I don't seem to be breathing at the moment.
The music was slow and rhythmic with a haunting melancholy melody. I recognised it immediately. Begin the Beguine by Cole Porter. But this version was slower, darker, more sensual. It heated you up from your very core, begging, almost daring you to move and become one with it. She was enchanting. As she sang, I was completely enthralled by every note that left her lips. It felt like she was singing just for me and me alone. I knew that wasn't true because as I turned to look around the room at the many, many men who were drooling. Their wives were starting to get more than a little annoyed. I don't blame the men at all; they had been just as transfixed as I. That's my girl, bring them to their knees.
"Hey beautiful." The coat check girl gazed up from the desk and smiled as the well dressed gentleman approached her. "Well if it isn't Ty Blue, where have you been honey? People been asking questions." Ty handed the girl his hat and coat, smiling at her in a way that would make the Cheshire cat jealous, his dimples popping out just for the occasion. "Just getting something special for someone special. Why, who wants to know?" cocking his eyebrow up. The girl just pointed towards his usual table. Ty walked forward, unable to see right away who was sitting there. He walked until he was at the entrance to the club; there, standing on the stage, was the girl who captured his heart singing his favourite song.
Ty paused just to let the music wash over him. Damn, was his woman on fire tonight. Every man wanted her but he got to have her, well at least he had hoped. They only had dinner a few times, but tonight was the night he was going to seal the deal. Ty smiled to himself as he patted the jewellery box in his top left breast pocket, yes, definitely tonight. It was then he noticed who was seated at his table. His cousin. What the hell did she want? It dawned on him that his uncle must have sent her to either talk him out of his proposal or worse ,drag him back home. All he wanted to do was take his best girl out on the town after her set; this was not going to do. Then it hit him. His cousin had no idea he was there, no idea who his girl was. If he just hid for a while she would get bored and go back to Connecticut. This was perfect, nothing could go wrong.
With that notion stuck in Ty's head, he needed to figure out where to hide. He backed out of the club to grab his coat and jacket from the coat check. The coat check girl looked surprised. "Back already?" she questioned. "Yeah." He thought for a moment. "This might sound funny, but would you know where I could hide out for a while." he said sheepishly. "Why, you trying to escape from the feds or something?" the smirk wiped all over her face. "Or something. Look, I really need to hide from that woman sitting at my table." Ty looked almost desperate. The coat check girl flipped up the top of the counter to let Ty in and brought him to a closet door. "Hide in here. I'll let you know when the coast is clear," she chuckled. Ty looked at her with his trademark smile before he went in the closet. "I owe you one."
After she was done singing, the crowd burst into applause and she bowed respectfully, then made her way back to my table. "What'd ya think of that?" she said with a self-satisfied grin as she sat down and placed her chin upon her hand. "Wow." And I meant it. I've never heard anything like it before in my life, I was gobsmacked. I do believe that my utter speechlessness was the intended result. She giggled then blushed a little with my comment, averting her eyes from mine. I felt the need to explain just what an impact she had on me. "When I was a child…" I started, which reverted her attentions to me. This made me hesitate just for a moment, damn self-consciousness. "As I was saying, when I was a child, my family owned the first automobile in Hartford." The look of confusion the fiery redhead wore was definitely my cue to get on with my story. "Well one day when my father was about to travel into town, he was backing up and struck me with the car," I stated frankly. Her eyes widened and her face was that of shock and horror but before she could even express a thought on the matter, I quickly added "I'm fine, I escaped with only a couple of scrapes and bruises and it's not as if my father is a bad man, he's just blind as a bat." The expression of shock soon wore off and once again led to that of confusion. This time I let her speak "That was an awful story and what did it have to do with my performance?" I don't know why, but all of a sudden I became shy again. "What I was trying to say was your performance made me feel like I did that day, I felt struck." She thought for a moment. "Are you trying to tell me that you feel like you've been hit by a truck?"
"That's exactly what I mean." The relief was very evident in my voice as she understood what I was saying. Her lyrical laugh bathed over me . "You do have a funny way of getting your point across." I sighed, "You're not the first person to ever tell me that."
"Well, I think introductions are long overdue. I'm CeCe Jones, dancer, singer and entertainer extraordinaire." She stretched her hand across the table, offering it for a friendly greeting. I of course took the presented hand and shook it. Her hands were so soft, I wondered if the rest of her was that soft. I must stop thinking like that, it just simply isn't appropriate. I guess I was lost in my own thoughts just a little too long because I was snapped out of it by a very logical question. "And you are?" I believe at this point, CeCe was expecting an answer. "Oh," I giggle out of nervousness. "I'm Raquel Blue." She looked slightly surprised. "Blue, any relation to Ty Blue?" I nodded in agreement. "Yes, he's my cousin." I stated as a matter of fact. "Where is he?" she questioned. "I don't know, in fact I wish I knew. I need to get him back to Hartford." I answered flippantly, and then it dawned on me. CeCe knew Ty, Ty knew CeCe. No she couldn't be the one that Ty was in love with, no the world could not be that cruel. Mind you, I couldn't blame him. CeCe was charming, beautiful and intriguing.
My mind started spinning, I felt nauseous; the colour from my face had completely drained. I had to ask it but I really didn't want to. Oh God help me if she says she's in love with him. CeCe stretched out her hand and laid it upon my mine over the table. "What's wrong, you don't look well?" The concern was written all over her face and her hand felt so nice against mine. She rubbed her thumb gently over mine; I love when people do that. This only increased my apprehension, but I had to know. "How do you know Ty?" My eyes could not bear to look into hers and my voice was small. All I could do was stare at the hand that caressed my own. "We went out a few times, it was nice." I was gutted; my heart sank so low all I could muster was a barely audible "Oh." "Hey, Raquel look at me." She squeezed my hand to get my attention. I looked up at her. "I have to say dating him was nice but, he's just too slick for me. He'd be with another girl before the end of the week. I need something more." She was now smiling at me which gave me no choice but to share in her joy and return the gesture.
"Say, are you going to ask me out already or what?" CeCe was so bold and brazen the look of shock on my face must have been a sight. "Are you hungry?" I ask dumbly. "Why, yes I am." I looked around the club to find a waiter so he can take our order, figuring that this place would be suitable enough since I have no idea where any decent restaurants are in New York are. Now that I think about it, I don't know where the desirable restaurants were in Hartford either. I either eat at work or Emily, my parents' cook, prepares something for me. "Oh no the food here is terrible." CeCe got up and started walking towards the exit of the club. Panic started to build up inside of me again. "Where are you going?" She turned to face me. "You, Raquel Blue, worry too much. Come on, I know a place." And with, that CeCe just gave me a little wink and was on her way. Well that's all I needed; I shot out of my chair so fast the club patrons sitting behind me commented that it was rather breezy in the club tonight. "Hey, since we're going out to eat anyways can we see a little of New York?" I called out after CeCe as she made her way towards the coat check. There, the coat check girl handed us our coats and hats, getting us prepared for outdoors. With a smirk, CeCe informed the coat check girl that she was going out to see New York as if see had never seen it before. I laughed, the coat check girl not so much, in fact she didn't look amused at all. I didn't give her much thought when I felt CeCe loop her arm through mine and led me out of the club.
The coat check girl, dreading the news she had to now deliver, walked over to the closet door and gave it a good knock. "You can come out honey, the coast's clear." Ty emerged from the confined space, brushing off some imaginary dirt and straightening his always impeccable suit. "Great, now I can get on with the business at hand." As he walked towards the club, the coat check girl quickly grabbed his arm before he could escape. "Darling, I've got some bad news." Ty looked at her, then looked at the table where his cousin was previously sitting. Slowly the realization that something was terribly wrong started to creep into his mind as he glanced to the stage, not seeing the woman he was planning to marry. Nervousness emerged into Ty's normally calm and secure voice as he asked the question he did not want to know the answer to. "Where's CeCe?" "She left with your cousin." Anger started seeping out of his being. "Do you know where they went?" "She said they were going to see New York." And with that, the coat check collected Ty's coat and passed it to him. As Ty rushed out of the club, the coat check girl just sighed, getting on with her daily work. "Good luck Ty, you're going to need it."
