Pairing Off

A few notes. First of all, I haven't seen any evidence of stripping as an entertainment form in the 1800's. I mean there were saloon girls and prostitutes, but strippers? The earliest mention I've seen was with Burlesque in the 1900's. If that's true, Ben Cartwright could not have known what stripping was because it didn't exist. Secondly, the term exotic dancing probably became a euphemism for being photographed nude around the 1950's when Playboy came out. The normal mean of the word exotic is "strange, different foreign, but in a pleasant way." Think hula dancers. Also, although Ben is considered worldly because he traveled on ships, he didn't travel all over the world. His trips were restricted to the eastern seaboard and parts of Europe. That's a far cry from the Middle East. Ben certainly wouldn't have known about every part of the world just because he did some travel.

Belly dancing is not stripping. One does not remove one's clothes. Belly dancing is known for gyrating and undulating the waist or belly gracefully to music. It's an ancient artform.

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"I'm sorry, she won't see you," Shayla told Joe.

"But ma'am, did you mention—"

"Part of the act. She's supposed to flirt with the audience. I was the one who coached her to do that."

"You?"

"Yes. I'm her manager, act coordinator, booking agent—you might say I run the show," she laughed.

"Sounds mighty fascinating, ma'am," Joe responded politely.

"You must understand there are so many that want to see her. She can't possibly accommodate them all so she sees no one," Shayla explained.

"Yes, ma'am."

"And what's with the ma'am? I'm only a few years older than my sister. Call me Shayla."

"Yes, ma'am. I mean Shayla."

"If you're still up to showing the ranch to someone, I'd love to see it," Shayla suggested. She noticed Joe look down. Then she quickly added, "I can tell you anything you'd like to know about my sister. She leads quite a colorful life."

Joe perked up. "Well, ma—Shayla. I think I can arrange that. How about tomorrow around two? I'll bring a buggy by and pick you up here."

"I'd love that. See you then."

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"What's the matter?" Shayla asked her sister in a hotel room they shared.

"Oh, nothing," Elisha sighed.

"Come on, I can tell when something's bothering you."

"It's so silly, really."

"Would it have anything to do with young man you were telling me about?" Shayla suggested.

"Well, it's the third show and he still hasn't bothered to look me up!"

"I kept a lookout for him, but I didn't see anyone that matched that description. Otherwise, I would have sent him up to you, you know I would."

"Oh, I know. He wasn't there tonight, that's why you didn't see him. I don't understand it." Elisha noticed Shayla putting a bonnet on her head. "Where are you going?"

"I didn't want to mention it when I see you looking so blue, but I met someone who wants to take me for a buggy ride."

"Don't let me get you down. I'm happy for you. You deserve someone in your life."

"Thanks. Don't wait up," Shayla called as she walked through the door.

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As Joe gave Shayla the famous Ponderosa tour, he waited patiently for her to discuss her sister as she promised, but all she did was talk about herself.

"So I put the act together, had a dressmaker create an Arabian costume from a magazine picture, and found an authentic dance instructor for Elisha. That was the hardest part, you know. That's why we have no competition. So far we're an original act. Gives us our edge."

Blah, blah, blah. Did she ever talk about anything but business? He had to change the subject.

"Well, ma'am—Shayla," Joe began. He still felt such a distance from her he couldn't remember to call her by her first name. "There's going to be a dance Friday. You going?"

"Friday? Isn't that a rather odd day to hold a dance?"

"It's usually on Saturday, but the dance committee didn't want to compete with your act."

"I'm flattered. I'd love to go."

Love to go? Implying he was taking her? There was no polite way out of this.

"I didn't mean to put you on the spot, m—Shayla. You don't have to go if you don't want to."

"Not at all, it sounds like fun." She could sense his reluctance. He was still hung on Elisha. "Who knows? Maybe even Elisha will be there."

Joe perked up. "You think so? Perhaps you could use your influence."

Don't count on it, Shayla thought.

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It's early evening at the Cartwright household.

"Where's Joe?" Ben asked.

"I saw him showing a lady the Ponderosa early this afternoon, Pa," Hoss replied.

"That was hours ago. He should have been back by now."

"He could be taking her back to town."

"Town! His chores are piling up and he finds another excuse to be in town! I want you to go back there and get him."

"That's all right, Hoss, I'm going there anyway," Adam said putting his hat on and reaching for his holster belt.

"You might check the theater first," Hoss suggested. "I recognized her from the dance show."

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There was a knock on the theater door. Elisha, who had been working on improving her routine, stopped and looked around. No one else was there. It didn't look right for the headliner to be seen answering the door. More pounding. She decided to forego the formalities.

The door opened before a waiting Adam. "Yes?" Elisha asked.

Adam was surprised to see the famed dancer make an appearance. "First, may I say, I've seen your show several times now, and I find each performance more enchanting than the last."

"Thank you, Mister … ?"

"Cartwright. Adam Cartwright."

"Of the Ponderosa?"

"I see you've heard of us."

"Who hasn't? And to what do I owe this pleasure, Mr. Cartwright?"

"I'm looking for my brother, Joe. I was told he was giving a tour of the Ponderosa to someone connected with the show."

So that's who Shayla was with, Elisha mused. She was probably too embarrassed to admit she took the opportunity to see the man Elisha had turned down. "That's my sister, Shayla. We're staying at the Virginia City Hotel. She hasn't returned yet."

"I see. Well, I guess I'm early. It's been a pleasure," Adam tipped his hat, "having this chat with royalty."

"Royalty?" she smiled. "I feel like I'm the one who's been talking to royalty."

Adam knew an opening when he heard one. "I hope I'm not being too forward but …would you like to join me at the Comstock Diner? They're known for their world-renown steak and we can discuss our respective heritages over dinner."

"Sounds much too good to pass up," Elisha said congenially.

Over dinner they talked chummily. Elisha found Adam refined, cultured, worldly, sophisticated. And he was rich. And good looking. Adam enjoyed her company as well. She was a bit youthful for him, but … even better.

"We have the dance every week. Think you can make it?" Adam asked slicing some pie with his fork.

"I don't know anyone," Elisha shied away.

"You know me," Adam quipped. "I think I can keep you amused.

"As tempting as it sounds, I'm not sure how welcome I would be," Elisha said. Especially among the women-folk, she thought.

"Are you kidding? You'll be the belle of the ball. You'll make the party. We'll be talking about it for years." Adam noticed Elisha wasn't convinced. "Tell you what. Why don't you think about it? I'll come by Friday and see what you decide."

"Alright. It's a date."

"I hope so."