CHAPTER 13
Socorro
Isaac Mentnor and Donna Elesee opted for the lone Italian restaurant in town, really just a glorified pizza parlor. Over pizza and soda, they exchanged small talk. Donna was trying to gauge Isaac's mood, not sure exactly how to explain her concerns when Isaac unintentionally provided the perfect opening for her.
"Did you run into Craig Donovan in the lobby?" Isaac asked her.
"Yes, I did. He and Verbena Beeks were headed out to dinner." Donna replied. "I was surprised to see Verbena with him, you were with him yesterday." Isaac could read the conflict on Donna's face as she spoke. He let her ask the much-needed question. "How did they meet, do you think? Was it when you were distracting me so he and Parker could wander around Quantum Leap?"
Isaac set down his cup and paused for a moment before answering. "No, they met this morning when the NSA paid a visit to Stallion's Gate." Donna had prepared herself for almost any answer from denial to out-right lie. Any answer but the truth she just got from her mentor. The shock silenced her as Isaac continued to speak. "Yesterday, Donovan, Parker and I were at Stallion's Gate to gather information about the layout of the facility because the NSA received a bomb threat against Project Quantum Leap." Isaac watched Donna's face carefully as he explained as much as he could about this mission and his role in it. He admitted to and apologized for using his friendship with her to gain access to the facility.
"We didn't know who at Stallion's Gate could be involved and didn't want to tip our hand, so to speak," Isaac finished.
"You didn't know who could be trusted?" Donna was aghast at the idea that any of her coworkers at Quantum Leap could be involved in a bombing of their work.
Afraid she had jumped to the wrong conclusion, Isaac quickly said, "I always knew you couldn't be involved, Donna. I chose to lead the recon team because I knew I could trust you. Today the unit I am with tried to meet with Admiral Calavicci to warn him about the bomb threat."
"Instead you met Verbena Beeks."
"Not me, Donna." Isaac said. "This has been taken out of my hands now. I spent the day in Socorro with my face glued to a computer screen."
"I don't know if I should thank you or yell at you, Isaac." Donna answered after a long pause in the conversation.
"I deserve both, I suppose," Isaac replied with a smile. "Instead, how about some spumoni?"
*********
Stallion's Gate
Admiral Albert Calavicci walked Frank Parker through the Quantum Leap facility at Stallion's Gate, New Mexico like a commander showing off his flagship. Frank found the place as impressive as Never Neverland, his home base in Nevada. Finally they got to the heart of the project, the Control Center and the Imaging Room. In the Control Center they met up with a pretty brunette wearing a lab coat that was embroidered 'Dr. SJ Fuller' on the pocket.
"Admiral," she greeted Al.
"SammiJo, how was your vacation?" Al inquired.
"Just fine. My parents are gearing up for a trip to Canada this Easter." SammiJo replied. Then she noticed Frank lurking in the doorway. "Hi, I'm Dr. Fuller," she greeted him, extending her hand to shake.
"Dr. Fuller, I'm charmed to meet the face that goes with that wonderful voice I've been hearing," Frank said glibly as he took her hand in his. The remark puzzled SammiJo but she chose not to remark on it.
"This is our Control Center. From here all aspects of the project are monitored and correlated." Al was continuing the tour speech. He didn't want SammiJo to learn too much about Frank before being properly briefed.
"I'm curious about how you keep in touch with Dr. Beckett during a leap." Frank said.
"The Imaging Chamber is our next stop," Al responded as he keyboarded a request to Ziggy. After receiving a confirming light he said, "it's been temperamental this last week but let's give it a shot."
He led Frank through the Control Center to the ramp at the far end of the room that led to the Imaging Chamber, picking up the handlink on the way. The door opened to the featureless room and the men stepped in. The Imaging Chamber gave Frank the willies. It looked a lot like the first stop on his journey to hell with Claire, the Artificial Intelligence that almost killed him last year. Frank was about to bolt for the door when it slid closed, trapping him inside.
The panic of claustrophobia hit Frank immediately, knocking the wind out of him as if he's been shot with a cannonball. He clung to the door fighting for breath as the room whirled around him causing a muffling roar in his ears. Slowly he began to calm his breathing and through the roar in his ears he began to hear someone calling his name.
"Parker! ... Frank Parker!"
A middle-aged man in a brightly colored jacket got in his line of vision and grabbed him by the shoulders. Frank forced himself to look into the man's face. In just a few seconds he recognized the face of Admiral Calavicci and his panic began to subside.
"Frank, what just happened?" Al demanded.
Frank took a deep breath and put up his hand in the typical 'stop' sign, asking silently for a moment to regain his composure. Al watched as control returned to the Guests face.
"I don't suppose the bio you got on me included the fact that I'm claustrophobic," Frank finally said to Al.
Al's face registered immediate comprehension as he said, "No. Sorry kid, I never would have brought you in here like that if I'd known."
Frank looked around the room slowly. He half expected it to look like the 'Holodeck' of Star Trek fame. According to Al it served a similar purpose.
"Gentlemen, if you're ready I'd like to get this show on the road." SammiJo's voice resonated throughout the room.
"SammiJo, center me on Sam," the Admiral ordered.
Frank heard a soft whirring and then... nothing. He saw Al looking around the room as if he was seeing something else.
"Admiral, remember Mr. Parker." Ziggy's voice cautioned.
"Oh, yeah. Frank, hold my hand." Al said.
Frank snorted, "I realize we just spent the day together, Al, but you're not really my type."
"Smartass. You want to see this in action? It only works because Sam and I are connected through brain waves. You have to be in physical contact with me to see what is happening."
Frank took the proffered hand. Instantly he was in a bar, music was playing and people were talking. A woman laughed. His eyes followed the laugh and landed on Olga Vukovitch's face. He raised a hand to wave, "Yo, Olga" he called.
"She can't see or hear you," Al said. "To you, she's a hologram. Only Sam Beckett can see and hear us."
"What bull!" Frank retorted and let go of the admiral's hand. The bar vanished and the music was replaced by the faint whirring of the Imaging Chamber at work.
Afraid that claustrophobia would again seize him, Al grabbed Frank's arm. The bar reappeared.
Amazement took hold of Frank's features. "I can only imagine what drugs you guys were on when you came up with this. This is wild!"
Al had continued to scan the room for Sam. He found him coming out of the men's room.
"Sam, how's it going?" he said to his best friend.
Sam recovered from the shock of seeing Al at the bar quickly and tersely said, "Outside" as he passed the holographic observer.
"That seemed rather unfriendly," remarked Frank sarcastically.
Al considered his options before saying to Frank, "I think I should talk to him alone first."
Frank heard the unasked question and answered it; "I've beat the claustrophobia for today. But I'd like to see more of this."
"O.K." Al replied and let go of Frank. Parker made himself comfortable on the floor nearby.
Outside of the restaurant, Sam Beckett walked about halfway down the block before finding a doorway he could sink into to wait for Al. He didn't have to wait long.
"Nice boots," came the gravely voice of the Observer.
"Is that all you have to say? 'Nice boots?' !" Sam spat back at him.
"What else should I say?" Al responded in kind.
"HOW ... COULD ... YOU! Showing up at the restaurant, using my name. You've gotten too used to being a hologram."
"I am a hologram." Al stated matter-of-factly.
"Not now," Sam shot back. "I'm here. You're here. We can't be seen together and you know that."
"Sam. Sam! SAAAMMMM!" the admiral had been trying to break into the leaper's tirade.
"What!?!"
Al put his hand through the doorpost they were standing near. "I am a hologram. I'm in the Imaging Chamber. I wanted to catch up with you and this seemed the best way."
Within seconds Sam Beckett went from anger to shock to shame at how he had treated his best friend. "I'm sorry," he murmured contritely.
"What's really wrong, Sam?" the Admiral asked.
"It's this leap. I'm home but I'm not home. I'm with a very sharp group of people who I'm sure are going to find me out eventually. I hate lying to Dr. Mentnor. He was my back-up proctor at MIT when Dr. LoNigro was busy."
"I know, I read through the data Ziggy gave me." Al replied.
Sam looked straight into Al's face. "I miss you. I miss having you feed me data from Ziggy about people and events. I feel so alone on this one."
"You want me to call Verbena," Al jokingly offered.
Sam began to laugh. "You can't. She's having dinner with Craig Donovan."
"Who's Craig Donovan?" Al asked.
"Craig Donovan is the guy who got me into this Karaoke mess tonight," Sam answered.
"Craig Donovan is my best friend." Parker said from the floor of the Imaging Chamber. "We've known each other for years."
Sam realized Al hadn't heard his answer while watching the Observer turn to listen to something or someone in the Imaging Chamber. "Is someone there with you?" he inquired.
"Parker" came the quick answer. "Didn't you see him before?"
"No" Sam replied.
Then a wicked grin worked its way to the Admiral's face. "You guys want to meet?" he asked.
"NO!!" The answer came in stereo.
"... the phone was weird enough for me..." Frank started.
"... thank you very much." Sam finished.
Both men answered simultaneously and although Al knew they could not hear each other, the continuity of their responses was eerie.
"What about Craig Donovan?" Frank wanted to know.
Al shrugged, "Something about Karaoke."
Frank Parker began to laugh. He knew how badly he sang but, like most of the tone deaf, he didn't care. He could only imagine a scientist like Sam Beckett in front of a crowd with a microphone in his hand. Scientists are notoriously bad performers, too introverted.
"Al, what's Parker saying?" Sam asked. The concerned expression on Al's face was disconcerting.
"Parker's having a great laugh at your expense," Al responded wryly. He was just hoping that Frank's giggle fit wasn't a prelude to a meltdown. "I'll be right back, Sam," he said as he turned to check on Parker. It was then that Sam noticed someone standing under the street lamp nearby.
That someone was one of the nurses and she was giving herself a pep talk through her tears. "Why are you letting the jerk get to you?" she said. "You've heard worse from patients. Suck it up, girl. This is Mary-Ann's party and you can't spoil it for her by acting like a baby." She was about 5'2", had curly brown hair, and her full face was flushed from a combination of anger and embarrassment. Four hundred years ago her body would have been an artist's inspiration, in the present she was obese.
Sam was deciding between making his presence known and trying to slip away quietly without disturbing her when he sneezed. She looked toward the direction of the sound and commanded, "Come out of that doorway."
Sam stepped into the circle of light from the street lamp. "I'm sorry if I surprised you and I wasn't trying to eavesdrop," he said. "I needed a break from the noise for a few minutes."
Embarrassed at being caught talking to herself, she lowered her head and mumbled something unintelligible.
"Sorry, I didn't catch that." Sam pursued the conversation.
With obvious effort she raised her face to meet his eyes. Seeing no hidden agenda there she said, "I said I'm sorry I intruded on your peaceful moment."
"Oh, that's O.K.," Sam said taking two steps closer to her. "I noticed the group you're with. Are you nurses?"
"Yes, we work at the health center in town. Now before you think we go out carousing every night, we're out tonight to celebrate a birthday."
"Mary-Ann's, I heard," Sam offered. "What happened in there that sent you out on to the street talking to yourself? Really, I'm a good listener," Sam added seeing the defensiveness on her face.
She paused, assessing the man in front of her, before speaking. "Some of us were on stage doing a 'Supremes' number. When we finished, as I was coming off the stage I heard some jerk comment about me. You know, my weight." She paused again. Sam waited for her to go on. "I have heard this stuff my whole life. I usually don't let it get to me, you know. But this just blind-sided me. He Had No Right!"
"You're right," Sam agreed, "He had no right, and he's a jerk." He smiled encouragingly at the nurse. "So what did you sing?" he asked.
"That big hit of Diana Ross's. You know," she said.
"Which one?" Sam urged.
The nurse took a step back, put up her hand and began to sing, "Stop, in the name of love, before you break my heart." As she sang she did all the moves and dance steps the Supremes had done long ago. She danced well and moved with a grace that belied her size.
"That's great," Sam said applauding.
"You think?" she said with the first smile Sam saw on her face.
"I just hope I sound as good when it's my turn to sing," Sam said.
"I was going to do another song alone but I'm not going to now," she said.
"Why? Because of the jerk?" Sam asked. She nodded. "Don't let him win," Sam pressed. "If you like to sing, if you want to sing, then sing damnit. If he doesn't like it, tough."
"I don't know," she began.
"What song were you going to do?" Sam asked.
" 'Crazy' by Pasty Cline" was the answer. Seeing a confused look on Sam's face, she began to sing, "I'm crazy, crazy for feeling so lonely. I'm crazy, crazy for feeling blue."
"No, no, no," Sam said shaking his head. "That's a loser's song. Sing a triumphant song."
"This Jewish girl doesn't sing gospel!" she said with a laugh.
"Not gospel. Something that's a real kick in the butt," Sam said. "And I know just the song," he finished with a gleam in his eye.
Inside the restaurant, Olga was growing concerned about Frank's extended absence from the table. "Do you see him anywhere?" she asked Nate Ramsey.
"No, but he's probably caught in that crowd at the bar." Ramsey answered.
On the stage a foursome had just finished a lively rendition of the spiritual "Operator" as Elvis the emcee returned to the stage. He called the next performer up. Nate Ramsey.
"I'll look for him from the stage," Nate promised as he stood to answer Elvis's call.
Socorro
Isaac Mentnor and Donna Elesee opted for the lone Italian restaurant in town, really just a glorified pizza parlor. Over pizza and soda, they exchanged small talk. Donna was trying to gauge Isaac's mood, not sure exactly how to explain her concerns when Isaac unintentionally provided the perfect opening for her.
"Did you run into Craig Donovan in the lobby?" Isaac asked her.
"Yes, I did. He and Verbena Beeks were headed out to dinner." Donna replied. "I was surprised to see Verbena with him, you were with him yesterday." Isaac could read the conflict on Donna's face as she spoke. He let her ask the much-needed question. "How did they meet, do you think? Was it when you were distracting me so he and Parker could wander around Quantum Leap?"
Isaac set down his cup and paused for a moment before answering. "No, they met this morning when the NSA paid a visit to Stallion's Gate." Donna had prepared herself for almost any answer from denial to out-right lie. Any answer but the truth she just got from her mentor. The shock silenced her as Isaac continued to speak. "Yesterday, Donovan, Parker and I were at Stallion's Gate to gather information about the layout of the facility because the NSA received a bomb threat against Project Quantum Leap." Isaac watched Donna's face carefully as he explained as much as he could about this mission and his role in it. He admitted to and apologized for using his friendship with her to gain access to the facility.
"We didn't know who at Stallion's Gate could be involved and didn't want to tip our hand, so to speak," Isaac finished.
"You didn't know who could be trusted?" Donna was aghast at the idea that any of her coworkers at Quantum Leap could be involved in a bombing of their work.
Afraid she had jumped to the wrong conclusion, Isaac quickly said, "I always knew you couldn't be involved, Donna. I chose to lead the recon team because I knew I could trust you. Today the unit I am with tried to meet with Admiral Calavicci to warn him about the bomb threat."
"Instead you met Verbena Beeks."
"Not me, Donna." Isaac said. "This has been taken out of my hands now. I spent the day in Socorro with my face glued to a computer screen."
"I don't know if I should thank you or yell at you, Isaac." Donna answered after a long pause in the conversation.
"I deserve both, I suppose," Isaac replied with a smile. "Instead, how about some spumoni?"
*********
Stallion's Gate
Admiral Albert Calavicci walked Frank Parker through the Quantum Leap facility at Stallion's Gate, New Mexico like a commander showing off his flagship. Frank found the place as impressive as Never Neverland, his home base in Nevada. Finally they got to the heart of the project, the Control Center and the Imaging Room. In the Control Center they met up with a pretty brunette wearing a lab coat that was embroidered 'Dr. SJ Fuller' on the pocket.
"Admiral," she greeted Al.
"SammiJo, how was your vacation?" Al inquired.
"Just fine. My parents are gearing up for a trip to Canada this Easter." SammiJo replied. Then she noticed Frank lurking in the doorway. "Hi, I'm Dr. Fuller," she greeted him, extending her hand to shake.
"Dr. Fuller, I'm charmed to meet the face that goes with that wonderful voice I've been hearing," Frank said glibly as he took her hand in his. The remark puzzled SammiJo but she chose not to remark on it.
"This is our Control Center. From here all aspects of the project are monitored and correlated." Al was continuing the tour speech. He didn't want SammiJo to learn too much about Frank before being properly briefed.
"I'm curious about how you keep in touch with Dr. Beckett during a leap." Frank said.
"The Imaging Chamber is our next stop," Al responded as he keyboarded a request to Ziggy. After receiving a confirming light he said, "it's been temperamental this last week but let's give it a shot."
He led Frank through the Control Center to the ramp at the far end of the room that led to the Imaging Chamber, picking up the handlink on the way. The door opened to the featureless room and the men stepped in. The Imaging Chamber gave Frank the willies. It looked a lot like the first stop on his journey to hell with Claire, the Artificial Intelligence that almost killed him last year. Frank was about to bolt for the door when it slid closed, trapping him inside.
The panic of claustrophobia hit Frank immediately, knocking the wind out of him as if he's been shot with a cannonball. He clung to the door fighting for breath as the room whirled around him causing a muffling roar in his ears. Slowly he began to calm his breathing and through the roar in his ears he began to hear someone calling his name.
"Parker! ... Frank Parker!"
A middle-aged man in a brightly colored jacket got in his line of vision and grabbed him by the shoulders. Frank forced himself to look into the man's face. In just a few seconds he recognized the face of Admiral Calavicci and his panic began to subside.
"Frank, what just happened?" Al demanded.
Frank took a deep breath and put up his hand in the typical 'stop' sign, asking silently for a moment to regain his composure. Al watched as control returned to the Guests face.
"I don't suppose the bio you got on me included the fact that I'm claustrophobic," Frank finally said to Al.
Al's face registered immediate comprehension as he said, "No. Sorry kid, I never would have brought you in here like that if I'd known."
Frank looked around the room slowly. He half expected it to look like the 'Holodeck' of Star Trek fame. According to Al it served a similar purpose.
"Gentlemen, if you're ready I'd like to get this show on the road." SammiJo's voice resonated throughout the room.
"SammiJo, center me on Sam," the Admiral ordered.
Frank heard a soft whirring and then... nothing. He saw Al looking around the room as if he was seeing something else.
"Admiral, remember Mr. Parker." Ziggy's voice cautioned.
"Oh, yeah. Frank, hold my hand." Al said.
Frank snorted, "I realize we just spent the day together, Al, but you're not really my type."
"Smartass. You want to see this in action? It only works because Sam and I are connected through brain waves. You have to be in physical contact with me to see what is happening."
Frank took the proffered hand. Instantly he was in a bar, music was playing and people were talking. A woman laughed. His eyes followed the laugh and landed on Olga Vukovitch's face. He raised a hand to wave, "Yo, Olga" he called.
"She can't see or hear you," Al said. "To you, she's a hologram. Only Sam Beckett can see and hear us."
"What bull!" Frank retorted and let go of the admiral's hand. The bar vanished and the music was replaced by the faint whirring of the Imaging Chamber at work.
Afraid that claustrophobia would again seize him, Al grabbed Frank's arm. The bar reappeared.
Amazement took hold of Frank's features. "I can only imagine what drugs you guys were on when you came up with this. This is wild!"
Al had continued to scan the room for Sam. He found him coming out of the men's room.
"Sam, how's it going?" he said to his best friend.
Sam recovered from the shock of seeing Al at the bar quickly and tersely said, "Outside" as he passed the holographic observer.
"That seemed rather unfriendly," remarked Frank sarcastically.
Al considered his options before saying to Frank, "I think I should talk to him alone first."
Frank heard the unasked question and answered it; "I've beat the claustrophobia for today. But I'd like to see more of this."
"O.K." Al replied and let go of Frank. Parker made himself comfortable on the floor nearby.
Outside of the restaurant, Sam Beckett walked about halfway down the block before finding a doorway he could sink into to wait for Al. He didn't have to wait long.
"Nice boots," came the gravely voice of the Observer.
"Is that all you have to say? 'Nice boots?' !" Sam spat back at him.
"What else should I say?" Al responded in kind.
"HOW ... COULD ... YOU! Showing up at the restaurant, using my name. You've gotten too used to being a hologram."
"I am a hologram." Al stated matter-of-factly.
"Not now," Sam shot back. "I'm here. You're here. We can't be seen together and you know that."
"Sam. Sam! SAAAMMMM!" the admiral had been trying to break into the leaper's tirade.
"What!?!"
Al put his hand through the doorpost they were standing near. "I am a hologram. I'm in the Imaging Chamber. I wanted to catch up with you and this seemed the best way."
Within seconds Sam Beckett went from anger to shock to shame at how he had treated his best friend. "I'm sorry," he murmured contritely.
"What's really wrong, Sam?" the Admiral asked.
"It's this leap. I'm home but I'm not home. I'm with a very sharp group of people who I'm sure are going to find me out eventually. I hate lying to Dr. Mentnor. He was my back-up proctor at MIT when Dr. LoNigro was busy."
"I know, I read through the data Ziggy gave me." Al replied.
Sam looked straight into Al's face. "I miss you. I miss having you feed me data from Ziggy about people and events. I feel so alone on this one."
"You want me to call Verbena," Al jokingly offered.
Sam began to laugh. "You can't. She's having dinner with Craig Donovan."
"Who's Craig Donovan?" Al asked.
"Craig Donovan is the guy who got me into this Karaoke mess tonight," Sam answered.
"Craig Donovan is my best friend." Parker said from the floor of the Imaging Chamber. "We've known each other for years."
Sam realized Al hadn't heard his answer while watching the Observer turn to listen to something or someone in the Imaging Chamber. "Is someone there with you?" he inquired.
"Parker" came the quick answer. "Didn't you see him before?"
"No" Sam replied.
Then a wicked grin worked its way to the Admiral's face. "You guys want to meet?" he asked.
"NO!!" The answer came in stereo.
"... the phone was weird enough for me..." Frank started.
"... thank you very much." Sam finished.
Both men answered simultaneously and although Al knew they could not hear each other, the continuity of their responses was eerie.
"What about Craig Donovan?" Frank wanted to know.
Al shrugged, "Something about Karaoke."
Frank Parker began to laugh. He knew how badly he sang but, like most of the tone deaf, he didn't care. He could only imagine a scientist like Sam Beckett in front of a crowd with a microphone in his hand. Scientists are notoriously bad performers, too introverted.
"Al, what's Parker saying?" Sam asked. The concerned expression on Al's face was disconcerting.
"Parker's having a great laugh at your expense," Al responded wryly. He was just hoping that Frank's giggle fit wasn't a prelude to a meltdown. "I'll be right back, Sam," he said as he turned to check on Parker. It was then that Sam noticed someone standing under the street lamp nearby.
That someone was one of the nurses and she was giving herself a pep talk through her tears. "Why are you letting the jerk get to you?" she said. "You've heard worse from patients. Suck it up, girl. This is Mary-Ann's party and you can't spoil it for her by acting like a baby." She was about 5'2", had curly brown hair, and her full face was flushed from a combination of anger and embarrassment. Four hundred years ago her body would have been an artist's inspiration, in the present she was obese.
Sam was deciding between making his presence known and trying to slip away quietly without disturbing her when he sneezed. She looked toward the direction of the sound and commanded, "Come out of that doorway."
Sam stepped into the circle of light from the street lamp. "I'm sorry if I surprised you and I wasn't trying to eavesdrop," he said. "I needed a break from the noise for a few minutes."
Embarrassed at being caught talking to herself, she lowered her head and mumbled something unintelligible.
"Sorry, I didn't catch that." Sam pursued the conversation.
With obvious effort she raised her face to meet his eyes. Seeing no hidden agenda there she said, "I said I'm sorry I intruded on your peaceful moment."
"Oh, that's O.K.," Sam said taking two steps closer to her. "I noticed the group you're with. Are you nurses?"
"Yes, we work at the health center in town. Now before you think we go out carousing every night, we're out tonight to celebrate a birthday."
"Mary-Ann's, I heard," Sam offered. "What happened in there that sent you out on to the street talking to yourself? Really, I'm a good listener," Sam added seeing the defensiveness on her face.
She paused, assessing the man in front of her, before speaking. "Some of us were on stage doing a 'Supremes' number. When we finished, as I was coming off the stage I heard some jerk comment about me. You know, my weight." She paused again. Sam waited for her to go on. "I have heard this stuff my whole life. I usually don't let it get to me, you know. But this just blind-sided me. He Had No Right!"
"You're right," Sam agreed, "He had no right, and he's a jerk." He smiled encouragingly at the nurse. "So what did you sing?" he asked.
"That big hit of Diana Ross's. You know," she said.
"Which one?" Sam urged.
The nurse took a step back, put up her hand and began to sing, "Stop, in the name of love, before you break my heart." As she sang she did all the moves and dance steps the Supremes had done long ago. She danced well and moved with a grace that belied her size.
"That's great," Sam said applauding.
"You think?" she said with the first smile Sam saw on her face.
"I just hope I sound as good when it's my turn to sing," Sam said.
"I was going to do another song alone but I'm not going to now," she said.
"Why? Because of the jerk?" Sam asked. She nodded. "Don't let him win," Sam pressed. "If you like to sing, if you want to sing, then sing damnit. If he doesn't like it, tough."
"I don't know," she began.
"What song were you going to do?" Sam asked.
" 'Crazy' by Pasty Cline" was the answer. Seeing a confused look on Sam's face, she began to sing, "I'm crazy, crazy for feeling so lonely. I'm crazy, crazy for feeling blue."
"No, no, no," Sam said shaking his head. "That's a loser's song. Sing a triumphant song."
"This Jewish girl doesn't sing gospel!" she said with a laugh.
"Not gospel. Something that's a real kick in the butt," Sam said. "And I know just the song," he finished with a gleam in his eye.
Inside the restaurant, Olga was growing concerned about Frank's extended absence from the table. "Do you see him anywhere?" she asked Nate Ramsey.
"No, but he's probably caught in that crowd at the bar." Ramsey answered.
On the stage a foursome had just finished a lively rendition of the spiritual "Operator" as Elvis the emcee returned to the stage. He called the next performer up. Nate Ramsey.
"I'll look for him from the stage," Nate promised as he stood to answer Elvis's call.