Chapter 7: Meet Me On Broadway

A/N: I'm not sure about the distance from Maine to New York, so please forgive me if it's incorrect, also the diner near the theatre, haven't been in the city in the while so sorry for that too. Now that said: Onto Chapter 7!

December 21, 1920

The black Model T which belonged to Daniel and Robert came to a halt and a very stylish hotel in the heart of New York City after a 12 hour drive including the stop in Massachusetts for the night.

"Here we are!" Robert chimed as he found a parking spot for the Model T in the back of the hotel. It was very crowded. The hotel was the Milford Plaza.It was new and Robert was lucky enough to get reservations way in advanced. Also a lucky thing, it was near the Broadway district so they can either walk or go to the Broadway theatre that night.

"Oh, great. If I had to stay here one more minute with you, I was going to scream!" Daniel said.

"I'm not that bad," Robert said in defense.

"Please, don't start. You were speeding, which I have no clue how you can manage in this car. We almost got arrested for almost killing an old lady on one of the side roads we just passed with her groceries! An old lady, Robert. Good thing she didn't com to the car and start hitting you with that cane. Another conclusion, we were almost arrested by the police for ignoring signs on the highway. Luckily enough, we were saved by you saying that we were travelers from California and were no familiar with the rules of the Northeast! God forbid they know that we're from the Northeast. As well as that, you had to compliment their uniforms and their sticks! Oh, no. You couldn't keep your mouth shut. You had to keep going spicing things up a bit. Like you always do!"

Robert froze for a moment then responded to Daniel's outburst smoothly, "We got here safe and sound, didn't we, worry wart?"

"Shut up, Robert. Next time, I'll drive. " Daniel opened the door and got out, slamming the door behind him. Robert followed. They went into the back to get their items. Once getting two suitcases, the two buds went into the hotel, checked in and observed their room. They could only afford one room.

It was decent. There were two beds, a radio and bathroom. The room will do for a week.

The two walked back to the lobby side by side and stood near the double doors.

"What would you like to do now?" Robert asked his friend who was distracted out the doors. "Daniel?"

"What?" He replied.

Robert repeated the question "What would like to do now?"

"I don't know. What time is it?"

"Quarter past one." Robert answered looking at his Elgin wrist watch.

"Why don't we find a bar and stay in it for a while. Then, go to the play." Daniel said putting his hands in his pockets casually.

"Sounds great. There are a lot of girls at the bar" Robert pointed out to his friend.

"You are not going to let that go, are you?" Daniel asked hoping that the answer would be no.

"You really don't think that I came all this way to see my friend suffer, do you? Of course not. I already told my wife what I was going to do, and she agreed. Mary knows. As of now, Dr. Pierce you are on a new therapy. Mine! Since you are over Evelyn, you're getting a new girl whether you like it or not. This is the city, not any city, but New York City. My friend, you are going to find someone here. Believe me!"

"And if you're wrong?"

"Then you can kill me or something, ok? Besides, there are a lot more cities out there. And a lot more girls. There's someone out there for you, Daniel, don't worry. Now, let's find that bar. All this jabbering is making me thirst for a beer."

"Let's. After you, mighty one." Daniel said jokingly.

"Thank you, trusty person." Robert walked in front of his friends and for the first time, the two buds walked the streets of New York to familiarize themselves.

Finally, after ten minutes of walking, they came to a bar right across the street from the theatre. Walking in, they noticed the place was a good bar. It was dark with dim lights; a piano for singing the blues; and a whole shelf of different kinds of whiskeys, beer, scotch and more behind the counter. This place will do.

Daniel and Robert settled themselves down on the stools of the counter. They ordered scotch and beer.

"Haven't seen you around these parks before," the bartender said. He was heavy and going bald which Daniel and Robert had noticed. He had a pug face like the pug dog, looked like he was in his mid forties and was wearing an apron to protect him from any spilled drinks. He poured their drinks. "Where are you two from?"

Daniel answered. "Ever hear of Crabapple Cove, Maine?"

"Excuse me?" The bartender replied.

"Crab-apple Cove, Maine," Daniel said more slowly for the man to understand.

"No, I haven't. Where is it near? Augusta?" The bartender handed them their drinks and waited for Daniel to answer.

"Actually two hours from Portland." Daniel answered. "Near the shore."

"It's a lobster town," Robert included.

"Oh, one of them. So what are you here for?" The bartender sounded interested.

"We're here to pick up Romeo here his Juliet," Robert said.

Ignoring his friend, Daniel just told the real reason. "We're here for the Broadway play, Sally."

"Sally, huh? Yea, opening night is tonight. I saw the rehearsals for it, and the lead lady is fine. It's going to be a crowded night tonight in here. The cast party is going to be here as well as the majority of the audience. You may have a chance for the lead lady thought, like your friend said over there." The bartender pointed to Robert. He leaned against the counter.

"Told you, Daniel that this was a good idea." Robert commented.

"Yea, whatever." Daniel drank the rest of his drink and asked for another one.

The bartender grabbed his glass and started getting another scotch. "I never got your names. Everyone around here call me John."

"I'm Robert and Romeo here is Daniel."

"Nice to meet you," The bartender gave him the drink. The trio talked for a while.

--

Elizabeth Quressimo was worried out of her mind about the whole play tonight. Was she going to be good or bad? Was she going to forget a line, or dance move? As she was thinking about this, she paced around the room rambling on the possibilities of the crisis. Betsy went to the factory for her day's pay. So Elizabeth had the house to herself. She had the feeling of throwing up, which she already did. Her stomach was still turning inside out. She only had five hours until the big show was on. Even if she was sick, the show must go on! And by God she was going to go on.

She sat on the couch, still nervous but a little better at the same time. She heard from her sister that her parents were going to the show, and some of the family. She only knew them and of course, Betsy. Everyone else was a stranger.

Elizabeth craved for a martini just then. The driest martini she could get her hands on. She couldn't get one now for fear of getting drunk. After the show, she would get it at the cast party across the street. How much she craved it. She couldn't wait till tonight, but she must.

She turned her attention outside the window of her apartment. They were on the fourth floor and she looked down. She watched the people walking and minding their own business walking to their destinations. This kept her mind empty and she forgot about being nervous. Elizabeth also turned on the radio and listened to what was on.

--

4:00 afternoon

"Hey, uh... Daniel? You want to get some food before heading on?" Robert said. They actually didn't get drunk in the bar. They had enough drinks.

Daniel, slamming his cup down looked toward his friend with a squinting eye and said "Where do you expect us to go?"

"I don't know, let's just go. Besides, I need the fresh air, and so do you, my friend."

"Fine." He paid John and told them they'll be back later. And they walked into the fresh air of the city: smoke, food and more smoke.

They walked up and down until they came to a diner. They settled on that and ordered corn beef sandwiches with a side of Cole slaw, fries and soup. They enjoyed the meal when they came. Only two more hours and they would be sitting on Broadway.

--

Betsy came home to the apartment building at 4:30 to get changed and freshen up for her friend's performance. She showered, grabbed something to eat. "Will you quit pacing; you're making me tired just looking at you."

"Oh, I'm sorry; I know you have a busy night. Oh, wait, that's me!"

Betsy stood up from her chair and held Elizabeth's shoulders firmly, "You're going to be fine. More than fine, fantastic! You hear me? After the first night, it'll come easy to you. Another bright side: your friends are going to be there and some of your family that you like. Another good thing coming out of this: Christmas is coming soon. You're favorite holiday! Think about that. If you are still nervous about tonight, picture everyone naked or wearing just their underwear. Ok?"

Elizabeth looked through her friend's dark brown eyes and said "You're right, I'll be fine. Hope my parents don't boo or hiss or whatever."

Betsy let go of Elizabeth's shoulders and replied "That's the spirit! Who cares what your parents think? Now, let's get you changed and ready to go."

Betsy led her friend to her bedroom and got her dress ready to go: a cotton light green dress which came up to her knees; black high-heels; white and red beads around her wrists and ankles and to top the outfit off, a headdress that was blue which covered her brown hair. Sure it was mismatched but Elizabeth didn't care; no one was going to see anyway for two reasons: One, it was going to be dark and two she was going to change out of the outfit.

Betsy's outfit was a little different: a blue cotton dress that also went to her knees; only white beads and white shoes. She didn't put on the extra accessories as Elizabeth has.

The two women went back to the main room, grabbed their purses and headed out the door. For security reasons, they locked the door and Betsy carried the key. They walked on the boulevard to Broadway.

--

Opening Night

There was a crowd of people at the doorway of the New Amsterdam theatre prepared to go it. The crowd seemed to get heavier and heavier. Voices were louder and space was scarce. The conversations were heard across the street.

Daniel and Robert were right in the middle, fresh cut and shaven. After their meal, they went back and changed. Now being right in the middle, they were being shoved around like animals. They tolerated it as possible. They stood tall and straight.

"So many people for Broadway," Daniel commented.

"I know, right," Robert shot back.

"The doors should open soon. What time is it?"

"Ten to six."

At the moment, the doors opened and the horde of people rushed in. Daniel and Robert were being pushed in as well. When they reached the front, they handed their tickets, got a program of the cast and went on the mission to find their seats. Eventually, they did. Front and center.

"Nice seats, Robert. How did your dad find them?" Daniel asked as he was sitting down.

"My father has ways, Daniel, my father has ways."

Backstage, Elizabeth was ready to go. The director was going frantic but he was not shouting.

He called the whole cast together. "Everyone, I just want to say break a leg tonight. You all worked hard to get where you are and I'm proud of you. Remember to have fun out there too, and also the cast party tonight after the show. Good luck everyone, let's get the show on the road!"

The members got into their positions and the director went to the audience. Conversations filled the air. Once the director got on stage, the audience got quiet.

"First, I would like to say thank you for coming. Tonight, you will see the play Sally about a young woman who poses as a ballerina. How, you may ask? Well, I would say but that would ruin the whole play for you," The audience chuckled at this part. The director continued once it settled down. "The cast has worked very hard to give you this production and our star is new so go easy on her. Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present to you, Sally."

The director clapped his hands as he got off the stage. The audience join in. Elizabeth's parents clapped lightly. The lights went off and the play began.

It was pretty good in Daniel's eyes. But he wasn't paying attention to the play. He was paying attention to the woman playing Sally.

Daniel swore that it was love at first sight. She was beautiful. The way she danced, sung and said lined enchanted Daniel. He had never felt like this before. Not to anyone. Not even Evelyn. For some odd reason, she looked familiar somehow. From someone recent. He looked through his program to find out who it was. Elizabeth Quressimo. Daniel adored it. Although the name didn't ring a bell to him. He thought back and came to a conclusion.

The dream. That dream.

She was wearing a white dress with a shawl around her arms, she had dark hair, dazzling eyes and wonderful features, nothing a woman had anymore...

It was her! Daniel thought. It has to be. She stands out above the rest.

Daniel continued to look at that woman. He was in love.

--

The play went by very quickly. And very excellent. The audience loved Elizabeth, she had a few bravoes and encores from the audience as well as whistles and hoots. Elizabeth was a star.

Her parents showed no emotion and were the first to leave. Betsy went crazy, and Daniel did too.

He grabbed Robert and said, "I found her! I found her!"

"Who?"

"The girl! The girl you've been talking about. And she plays Sally from the alley. I gotta meet her." He snapped his fingers "The cast party! That's it!" He grabbed his friend and headed out to the bar in hopes to meet Elizabeth Quressimo.

Elizabeth was backstage and got changed. Betsy greeted her outside in the cool night air. She gave her friend a quick hug.

"You were great!"

"You think so?"

"Hon, I know so."

"Did you see my parents?"

"Yes, and they were the first ones to leave."

"Great, let's get going. I need a drink." The two went into the bar. It was already crowded and Elizabeth grabbed a sit as Betsy went to get the drinks. She sat in a booth by the window and thanked God in her head for getting through the whole thing.

Daniel, who was sitting at the booth saw this. Robert nudged him to get a move on and this was his chance. Daniel walked to the booth. He stood before Elizabeth.

"Hi," he said.

Elizabeth looked up, "Hi," she replied a little startled.

"I saw you tonight."

"You did?"

"Yes, and you were fantastic."

"Thank you," she said flattered. He is cute.

"May I join you?" He said motioning to the other booth.

"Sure, you're not a peeping tom are you?"

"Of course not."

She smiled, "Alright, you may. My friend shouldn't mind."

Betsy came back and saw this. She dropped her drink and went away to the booth. To her, Elizabeth needed privacy.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Daniel Pierce."

"You already know me, but I'm Elizabeth Quressimo. But for purposes, you can call me Elizabeth."

"And you can call me Daniel. Tell me about yourself. Damn she's beautiful.

"There's not much to tell." She put her elbows on the table and propped her head. "I'm from here, my parents are from Italy. I have four siblings. I don't talk to my parents much. We had a huge argument about my future and didn't get over it. But they were here tonight, and I don't know how they like it. I'm also a flapper and don't care what anyone thinks. I'm rambling. I'm sorry."

"It's ok. I enjoyed it."

"Well, that's my life. I live in a apartment with my friend who dropped my drink off. Tell me about yourself. I know you're not from here." Elizabeth took her martini and sipped it.

"I'm from Crabapple Cove, Maine. A very small town. I am an intern and wishing to become a surgeon one day. I have an older sister and I get along great with my parents. I live with them, but I am building a home. I'm here from my friend and that's it." He gave a little chuckle at the end.

"Sounds good. Must be better than the city life."

"It is."

"How long are you in town for?" Elizabeth asked.

"A week."

"Oh, you'll be ok."

They continued to talk about random things, and it began to be a great night for the both of them.