The humor is a little deeper but I had to make it so in order for this to be even remotely funny. Today's songs are first just any kind of tap song you can think of and the second is the "Tango: Maureen" from Rent. Sentences in italics are sung.
Public places always have a certain beat and rhythm to them. All around you can see people going about their business, always moving and always changing. Lisa liked things this way, it told her that everything was all right and that things were going according to plan.
As she stood in line for check in Lisa noticed that the airport had momentarily turned into a place of stability. Everything was a dance, literally. All around her people were tap dancing to a light tune and beat as they went about their business. There was a pause as a woman called to the travelers. "Anybody that was scheduled on the flight to Atlanta that was cancelled come to the front of the line so we can reroute you!" The smooth music started up again and Lisa meanwhile pushed her luggage forward while in line and hit an elderly woman. The old woman jumped in the air, then landed and did a quick solo tap.
Lisa looked up from her book to match the old woman's steps. "I'm sorry." She said smiling lightly.
"Don't sweat it; I'm wearing my combat boots!" In order to keep up the conversation the two continued their little duet dance together. The woman gestured to the book Lisa was reading, yet another Dr. Phil book. "I just love him, how is that, are you learning a lot?"
"I don't really know." Lisa said, trying to match the older woman's skills at tap dancing. "He's so handsome; I work during the day so I always miss his shows." Lisa paused and stopped dancing, slightly mortified. The old woman however didn't seem to notice and continued the routine without Lisa. Finally Lisa managed to say. "Well here that'll catch you up."
The nice old lady shook her head and tried to resume the routine. Lisa won't join her, instead she held out the book. "Oh no I couldn't" Lisa tried again. "I'm finished and my dads given me so many of these I could start a library." The nice old lady relented and Lisa's attention suddenly changed as an airport employee asked for those who needed to be rerouted.
Close by her a man angrily sputtered and the music of it all stopped. "Sir." The airport employee said, trying to sooth him. "Just get your boss this is ridiculous!" The angry man snapped.
Lisa sighed she didn't like this; he didn't have the right to interrupt the airports beat and rhythm. "Sir, please don't make her do that she's doing the best she can." The man spun around to look at her. "I don't think I was talking to you." As the man turned around again Lisa reflected angrily that this man was taking things way out of proportion but that even her with her people skills was having trouble with this man.
A sudden taping behind her and a man with expressive blue eyes had come between her and the angry man. "Please sir; um she's the only thing standing here between us getting out of here and total anarchy."
The angry man looked back at the tap dancing stranger and frowned. "I'm just..." The stranger didn't seem to care; he gripped the man by the arm while doing a kind of shuffle. "She's exhausted, she's just worked 18 hours and she expects we all hate her just as much as you do."
Everything paused a beat; the angry man removed himself from the strangers gasp mumbling to himself, "This airline sucks." Before moving away. The music and beat of the airport started up again and Lisa turned to the man in gratitude. "Thank you." She said as the stranger moved back in line behind her.
"Not at all, that was just back up, you got the ball rolling." He said smiling and starting up a new dance. "I work with people like that all the time, I'm a hotel manager." Lisa said, wary but none the less intrigued. This was new and different. She matched his steps with more enthusiasm then with the elderly woman.
"Really, where?"
"Lux Atlantic, that's in ..."
"Miami. I know it well. You have no idea how flipping well. So you're on this uh..." Lisa nodded. "Very delayed flight to Miami, you?" He nodded. "Yeah, sadly, yeah. But you know what, that's why God created the Tex Mex, best nachos in the airport, save you a seat?" Lisa paused in their little dance, suddenly uncomfortable. Stopping totally she saw the stranger suddenly look bashful. "Yeah, that was uh, I'm sorry, I just thought since we were on the same flight..." Lisa shook her head as an airport employee called her over. I just have a few calls to make."
And with that Lisa moved away to a different beat. She didn't notice the song end.
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"This seat taken?" Lisa was lucky to have found him. After running smack into a woman with coffee seeing him the first time Lisa had expected the stranger to have gone else where. Seeing her he smiled. "No it's all yours. You didn't have to change outfits for me! So did you get your calls made? "He paused.
Lisa looked away." Yeah no more calls. Jackson nodded and motioned to the bar. "What will you have?" Lisa hesitated until she heard music start up, how long had it been since she had heard romantic music?
Jackson started out singing. "If I can guess... grape fruit sea breeze!" He stood and offered a hand to Lisa. Lisa paused; slightly surprised he had guessed her drink preference, best not to make him look so good. She leaned over to the bartender and said also singing." Can I have a bay breeze? 1, 2, no 3!"
Then standing she took his hand, she wasn't sure she wanted to start this little dance of small talk but hey, it couldn't hurt. She wouldn't regret it. "Ah, well it breaks the ice." Jackson said then ..." Were you in Texas on hotel business?" As the pair spun around Lisa grew a little sad. "No my grandmother died, she was 91. nothing fazed her, so optimistic, always look forward, that's what she'd say" She sighed then leapt back into the dance a little more. She wasn't too hot at this.
Suddenly the bartender was ready with her drink and the pair moved back to the bar. She had never had a bayeeze before...
"You sure you don't want that sea breeze?" Jackson asked, seeing Lisa's face as she took a sip before leading her back to whirl around.
"No its fine."
"You sure?"
"You sound like my dad; I say I'm fine, he says are you sure? I'm sure."
"Okay I believe you. I'm Jackson."
"Lisa, is it Jack for short?"
Jackson shook his head with a wry smile as they sidestepped. "No, I haven't gone by Jack since I was ten years old, last names Rippner." Lisa thought for a moment. "Jack..., Jack the ... oh. That wasn't very nice of your parents. But then again what idiots would call their kid that?"
Jackson didn't reply to her last comment. "No that's what I told them, before I killed them."
Almost alarmed Lisa laughed. "Well if it's any comfort my middle name is Henrietta, but that's my grandma's name. Was."
Jackson nodded as they glided back to their seats and picked up his drink. "To Henrietta, whose spirit is very much alive and shan't be mentioned but once more in this story." As the pair clinked classes Lisa once again didn't notice the song end, but this time it was a good thing.
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Meanwhile as Lisa and Jackson continued to talk news report was playing. "Keefe sent shock waves through the department with some random comments." Keefe appeared on the television, apparently giving the said conference. "I don't discriminate, I communicate. But not always with a kind word. I believe in diplomacy, it can work but first I want their attention. Do I have your attention?" He paused. "Who knew these random comments would get someone to want to kill me? Thank you."
"Attention, we have cleared service to Miami Florida."
Lisa sighed. "I guess that's us."
"No duh." Jackson said then smiled. "Wonders never cease. Let me get this." Lisa began to disagree then nodded. "So..." He paused then his cell rang. "I got to take this. Hey. Yeah. Can you hold on? "He glanced back at Lisa." I got to take this, sorry. Have a good flight, nice to meet you."
Lisa nodded. "Yeah you too."
