WHO'D A THUNK

By Aeiu

McCormick dawdled over dinner. He dawdled in the bathroom. He dawdled over his hair. And was currently dawdling over which pair of socks to wear.

"Stop your dawdling, McCormick," said Hardcastle as he dressed.

"I'm not dawdling. I'm just trying to look right."

"I'd think you be happy. It's not everyone who gets a chance to be the opening act at Caesar's Palace."

"Hey, I'm happy. Don't I look happy?"

Hardcastle refused to answer that questions as McCormick finally decided on the black pair of socks over the dark blue pair.

"Listen to this," Hardcastle said as he read from the local paper. "This mixture of old and new classics is a real treat. A must for all music fans is this new Vegas sensation. Sounds pretty good."

McCormick snorted. "Sounds like payola."

"Look, we'll see the show, eat a late supper, make a little small talk and we can go home. But I'd think you'd want see his big moment."

"I do. I really, really do."

"Don't forget who're talking to, kid. You've been trying to get out of this since back at the house."

"I have not!" denied McCormick.

"You wanted to cancel out."

"It was an emergency!"

"A sale of peat moss is not an emergency."

"It was buy one get one free. That can really add up with a lawn as big as yours."

"You drove about forty miles an hour all the way up here. My aunts' Studebaker could've beat you."

"Did you want me to get another speeding ticket? You're always telling me to follow the rules of the road. Any way, I'm here and I'm going," McCormick pouted.

"Stop pouting. Are you jealous? 'Cause I could understand if you were."

McCormick cast a withering glance at his friend. "I. Am. Not. Jealous. I just want it to stop."

"What to stop?"

"My life has been out of control for a long time. It's like some combination fun house/spook house ride. And every time, I think I got a handle on things. I think I understand what's going on." McCormick pantomimed a batter striking a ball. "Whammo! Fate knocks me for a loop, again."

"It won't be that bad," promised Hardcastle.

"Humph," answered McCormick.

It was a long quiet ride to Caesar's Palace. Hardcastle was looking forward to the show and McCormick was looking for any escaping felons or natural disaster which might cause them to miss the show. He cringed as they pulled up and he looked at the marquee. It looked so much worse in three-foot high letters.

Despite his best efforts, they were on time for the show. Hardcastle spoke to the host and they were shown to a front table. Red carpet all the way. McCormick slunk into his seat as the lights began to dim.

The announcer's voice spoke overhead. "Good evening, Las Vegas."

They entered from opposite sides of the stage. Both standing cool and confident. On the right with his shorter stature and dark wavy hair stood his wayward father. On the left with perfect physique and blonde hair was the ex-nemesis Sandy. They began to sing in perfect harmony.

"Let's give a big hand to our newest stars. Daye and Knight!" the announcer continued.

McCormick could swear they both looked at him and flashed their mega-watt pearly whites right at him. "This is going to be a long night," McCormick groaned. "Who's the headliner?"

"You'll like them. It's Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gormé," answered Hardcastle.

THE END