The Saga, Part 21 -- Is this Hollywood, or Vaudeville?

Fred and I drove back to the well field after supper, and once there, he shooed me back to the hotel to get some rest. He would meet the night crew, for a change! I had only been to the room in the evening twice. I had spent every other night at the well field.

For the second time during my stay, I turned on the TV, to find absolutely nothing to watch. For some reason, in the center of the TV-show-universe, the hotel carried only two channels. Also, groping my way around the room in the dim glow of a 20 watt light bulb was no fun. At 9 oclock, I turned everything off and went to bed. Fred had told me to take my time getting there in the morning, and I slept ten hours, without moving, curled up under the covers, totally unconcerned with the cockroaches.

What youth and ten hours of sleep could do back then! The next morning, I woke with a spring in my step, ready to go! I had a new outfit to wear to the movies, plenty of sweet rolls, and lots of awful sour apples to eat! I bought coffee at the gas station, taking some extra sugar for the apples, and drove back to the well field. Maybe they would be edible with a little sugar sprinkled on them. I looked forward to seeing Brendan and Harry, who were up and bustling around. They were glad to see me, and the hot coffee, and they were pleased with the sweet rolls. Harry took the sour apples home to his wife, who could make anything taste good, and Brendan took the hard rolls home to his wife. He liked hard bread, he said He couldnt stand that gluey mush that most people ate. I couldnt help but wonder if his broken front tooth was due to a hard roll.

I settled down to the measurement schedule, spending most of the day alone. Our silent guardian again took the cup of hot coffee from my hand, with a sweet roll, and accepted a second cup later in the morning. Again, I bought him lunch, carrying his sandwich up the hill where he stoically watched through the day. This time, though, when I brought him his sandwich, he said, diffidently, Thanks.

Youre very welcome! I said in surprise, and then scuttled down the hill, out of the way. I could tell that talking to me made him uncomfortable, and I didnt want to press my luck. He might not come back, and I had grown accustomed to his watchful presence.

Shortly after lunch, Fred drove up the lane to the well field. I was in the well house, measuring, and he appeared in the doorway, scaring me to death. Fred! I exclaimed. What are you doing here?

I wanted to drop by and tell you that Ill come and get you at your hotel at 6 oclock. Well get some supper; then well go see a movie, Fred said, smiling. Well go to the theater in Mineola. Youll like it it is a lot of fun!

Whats on? I asked.

I dont know, Fred said, We never go to the show to watch the movies.

Oh. I was puzzled. Why would you go to a movie and not watch? Well, I said, shaking my head yet another thing to be confused about, I have a new sweater to wear, and Im very excited about getting out and about!

A purchase from yesterdays shopping trip? Fred asked.

Oh yes! I said, A cashmere sweater! We dont have cashmere at home!

He laughed and said he would be there to get me at 6 oclock and be sure to be ready. Then he was off, down the lane, his water company truck rattling with spare parts and tools in the back. How could I not have heard that racket? I wondered. I had never seen Fred in a vehicle other than a water company car or truck, and I wondered what he drove Would he call me when he got to the hotel? Would he come to the room? Should I meet him in the lobby? Danny said it was all right for him to take me to the movies, so this wasnt a date, was it? I didnt date at this point in my life. I still felt like one of the walking wounded besides, I didnt know how to act on a date anymore. I went out with my guy friends, but it wasnt a date, we just went out together, as a group. I was just as likely to go out with my girlfriends. It wasnt an earth-shattering event, at home.

Stewing over it, I was just about to think of a good excuse to get out of the whole dang shebang, and wondering how I could do that without hurting Freds feelings, when Charlie came to the well field, grinning from ear to ear. Are you ready for the big night? he asked.

Uh, I said, Does everyone at the water company know about this? I was feeling a little queasy. I dont want this to be a big deal, Charlie It is just me, and Im nothing special I dont want anyone to make a big to-doings out of this and embarrass Fred

Sure, everybody knows about it Charlie assured me, Stella told me to tell you to have a good time. She thinks Fred is a very nice guy and that you will have a lot of fun!

Uh, I said, Charlie, this isnt a date is it? I dont date, Charlie. I dont want Fred to be, uh, disappointed or anything.

Charlie looked me in the eye, and said softly, There is nothing to be afraid of. Fred is a really nice guy; he wont hurt you. He wont expect anything of you. I dont think he is looking at this like it is a date it is just friends going to the show. Everybody wants you to have a good time. Youve been working very hard out here. Everybody knows about it, because everybody knows everything at the water company. It isnt a big deal.

Charlie put his hand on my shoulder gently, Dont worry. It will be all right. Everyone wants you to have a good time. Fred wants to take you to the show, and doesnt expect anything in return. No one does. Go and have some fun, for a change. Stella and Danny both think this a good idea youre melting away before our eyes.

Melting? Ive lost a little weight. I said, distracted. OK, then; Im very excited to be getting out and about. I havent really been out much since I got here. I was comforted, somewhat, but couldnt help but be a little bit worried. I didnt know how to act on a date. I hadnt been on a date in years. In fact, at this point in my life, I never, ever, wanted to date again.

Stella told me to tell you to have fun, Charlie said gently. Now, go get cleaned up and have some fun. Dont worry about anything here; Ill take care of things. Go have some fun; you work too hard.

I-- I cant date, Charlie, I said, swallowing hard. I havent dated since the divorce.

I know, he said. And this isnt a date. Just go, and have some fun. You need to eat something. You need to rest and get away from this well field for a little while.

Thank you, Charlie, I said. Youre a good friend.

I drove back to the hotel, and bathed, reveling in HOT water this time my timing was all off at the hotel, hot water-wise. I wore my new cashmere sweater, and it felt so soft and luxurious! I put on my one good pair of shoes I had brought with me, which felt strange after two weeks of boots, and my black slacks, which were MUCH too loose, but I safety pinned them in the back. (I lost 10% of my body weight on this trip.) I carefully applied makeup to cover the black circles under my eyes, and rolled my hair, which looked like it was going to have a fuzzy night. Never mind! I thought, spraying it down. Thankfully, this isnt a real date! Then, at 5:55, I went down to the lobby to wait. He said be ready at 6, and I was ready at 6. I felt very strange to be going out at night, to somewhere other than the well field. I felt very strange in going out at night with a friend other than my friends at home, who knew and understood the circumstances. This is Fred , I told myself. Dont worry!

At 6 oclock, on the dot, Fred walked into the hotel lobby. He looked great, and I told him so, Fred! My, dont you look absolutely dapper !

Dapper? I look dapper? I want to see this new sweater, he said, smiling. I dont think Ive seen a real cashmere sweater!

I laughed, Well, thats my line! Ive never seen a real cashmere sweater we just dont have them at home! Ive read about them, but never seen one in real life!

Very pretty, he said. You look very beautiful!

I blushed, No, not at all, but thank you!

Are you ready? he asked. He helped me with my coat, and we walked out to his car. I suddenly felt completely at home his car was a rattle trap like mine. I hope you dont mind riding in my car, he said. I usually drive a water company car during the week.

Fred, Im so glad were not going in my car at home, I told him. I call it the Semi-mobile Piece of Junk. And it is, too. As I drive down the road, pieces of it fall off. Someday, Ill be able to afford a new one, maybe. Most of my friends dont want to ride with me they are afraid we wont get there. My drillers cant stand it when Im out in the field. They always work on it

Youre out in the field a lot, arent you? he asked.

Quite a bit, I told him. You get used to it, but, sometimes, when the weather is bad, I long for a desk job.

We drove to a lovely restaurant. It had a French name, and, again, I was worried about language difficulties, but there was no need. Fortunately, Fred spoke French. I took French in high school, he said. Ill help you. Did you study a language?

Naturally, I took the one language that I loved, and that hasnt helped me one iota in life, I said. I took three years of German. No one speaks German at home, but the Amish, and they wont speak German to me, anyway. About all Im good for is understanding what the Germans say in war movies. They say, Schnell! Schnell! or Hurry, Hurry a lot. Evidently, the guys that write those scripts have just about as much German as I do, because I can understand them.

He laughed and said, My family is Dutch. My mother wanted me to take German, but I took French.

Well, I said, dont tell Danny, but Im about a quarter German. The other parts are Scotch-Irish and English, and there is one teeny tiny fraction that is Cherokee

He chuckled and said, Oh no! Danny is certain that you are a long lost daughter of the old country!

Well, I am, I said. It was just a long time ago At least 100 years ago Im a regular American mutt.

What do you want to eat? Fred asked.

Why dont you order for me, Fred, I said. I like everything but liver and babies, as you know, so it shouldnt be too hard. I cant understand one word on the menu, and couldnt pronounce it if I tried. I trust you explicitly. And, it was true. My nerves had calmed, and I knew I was safe. Fred wouldnt expect anything of me, and all was well. I felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders.

Fred and I ate a delicious cheesy souffl, with hot bread. My insides seemed to take a grip on this more real food, as opposed to the rabbit food I had been eating. He ordered a glass of wine for each of us, and it was the perfect complement to the wonderful meal. We sat and talked I felt very comfortable with him, as if I had known him for most of my life. He was one of those people that just accepted you the way you were, asking nothing out of the ordinary. We could talk about the technical aspects of our jobs, and we could talk about our lives.

As we were leaving, Fred asked, Dont you go to your Greek party tomorrow?

Yes, Im the social butterfly, and I have to be there at 6 oclock, I said. Do Greek people drink anything special?

What do you mean? he asked.

I said shyly, Well, from reading The Godfather, I think that Italian people like to drink anisette, and I wondered if the Greek people liked it as well. I thought I would try to buy some for them, to take as a gift.

I think they drink something called Ouzo, he said. I dont really know, but that is a nice idea to take them a gift.

Ouzo, I said, trying to memorize the word. Ill look for some tomorrow. The liquor stores are open here on Sunday, arent they?

Well, yes, he said. They arent open on Sunday in Kentucky?

Oh no, I said, we have blue laws. No bars or liquor stores are open on Sunday, and in most counties, you cant buy alcoholic beverages, period, any day of the week. They are dry counties. As we drove to the movie theater, I tried to explain the concept of a dry county. We have 120 counties in Kentucky, and 100 of them are dryit is illegal to sell liquor, at all, in those counties. They can make, or bottle liquor, but they cant sell it, on a retail basis. It is against the law. Yet, we are the only state that produces bourbon.

Just what is bourbon? he asked, smiling, and why does Kentucky make it?

Its the law, I explained. To be called bourbon, a whiskey has to be made in Kentucky, and it has to be aged at least four years in a new white oak barrel that is burnt on the inside. It has to be certain percentage of corn mash. Other than that, Im not sure. Years ago, before there was much transportation, farmers would turn their corn crops into bourbon, and send it down the Ohio River to the Mississippi River, down to New Orleans and sell it. It was easier to transport it, once it was distilled, and they got more money for their crop.

Do you drink bourbon? he asked.

Of course! Everybody drinks bourbon at home, if they drink, I said smiling. We all have a favorite, and we all fight over whose favorite is the best. I can make a mean mint julep!

Why dont you take your Greek family some bourbon? he asked.

I cant buy it here, Fred, I said. I looked yesterday for some to give Danny and they just dont have it here. Im going to send some to Danny when I get home. I can send some to you, as well, if you like.

Id like that, he said. It will help me remember you when youre home again.

We walked up to the movie theater, and Fred got us two tickets. The movie Poltergeist was showing, and I really wanted to see it! The movie house looked just like the theater at home, but at the front door all similarities of any theater at home were long forgotten.

At home, Mr. Wiseman and his family owned the three theaters in town. The outside may have looked a little ragged, but the insides were plush. The lobbies were carpeted in a rich red carpet. Clean white walls showcased the advertisements of the movies Now Showing or Coming Soon. The refreshment counter was absolutely deluxe, with fresh hot dogs sizzling on a rotisserie, buttered popcorn popping gently in a machine, and row upon row of candy boxes or candy bars gleaming behind the spotless glass. It was exceptionally clean and beautiful, and Mr. Wiseman kept it that way.

A night at the movies at home was a sedate experience. Mr. Wiseman, or one of his many sons, met you at the door to the theater, lighting your way with a flash light down the stairs. The seats were overstuffed in red velvet, spring loaded to pop up when you left, and were more comfortable than any chair at home. Red velvet draperies were drawn across the screen, with tasseled sides, that drew back to reveal a perfectly white movie screen. Long before smoking was forbidden anywhere, neat, well-lit signs proclaimed, No Smoking. The previews were always precluded with a lesson in mannersno talking; no disturbing of others; immediate removal of crying babies, etc.

Not here. We walked in, and I was immediately struck by the yellowed walls, dotted with chewing gum and popcorn bits. The floor was ratty linoleum, worn in the middle, and obviously not very clean. Mr. Wiseman should see this! I thought. Everyone went into the theater and just satno one guided anyone anywhere. The seats were old, wooden gym seats, peeling and rickety. A tattered red curtain hung on either side of the movie screen, which was stained and pitted. It seemed to be very loud. Fred found a place for us, and a man in a peaked cap shouted at us, Popcorn! Beer! Hot Dogs!

Fred asked, Would you like a beer?

I thought about all that wine, sloshing around down there, and thought, Not the best of ideas at this moment . I said, What about a Coke?

No problem, he said, and stood, shouting at the man, Beer and a soda! The guy in the peaked cap, took his money and handed him the drinks, walking off quickly, Popcorn! Beer! Hotdogs! This is like a ball game! I thought.

Then I noticed our fellow movie-goers. Everyone was smoking, and the smoke curled up around the lights above. Small children ran up and down the aisle, running into people and making them spill their beer. Everyone was talking and laughing loudlyvery unlike the funeral home mien of the movies at home. It was fascinating!

Just then, the lights went out, and the movie rumbled to life But no one slowed down one bit. A mime climbed up on stage, pretending to be a hobo. A juggler stood up about three rows in front of us, throwing bowling pins in the air. Everyone threw popcorn at the juggler, who dropped the pins with a clatter! When the mime climbed down on the other side of the stage, someone else got up, singing a wonderful rendition of Hello, My Baby, kicking his legs in the air, and holding a cane. People shouted, turn it down, down, turn it down, and someone adjusted the sound of the movie to a mere whisper. No matter, no one watched the movie anyway.

This is like vaudeville! I told Fred, who laughed and said, Who wants to watch a movie anyway? It was a giant party, a vaudeville show, amateur night, and a professional review all at the same time. Everyone in the audience screamed with laughter, called to one another, Come on, Joe, give us another one!, and threw beer and popcorn up at the ones they didnt like. Popcorn flew through the air, even toward the back, where we sat. People sang, danced, laughed, smoked, drank beer, swatted children, and had a wonderful time! Poor Mr. Wiseman would have had an apoplexy! But I had a ball!

I never saw one scene of the movie, which projected on top of the performers, nor did I hear one word. Nor did I care-- it was FUN!

The lights came on, all at once, and we left with our fellow movie-goers, crunching the popcorn on the floor and sticking in the beer. Fred, that was so much fun! I told him, Thank you!

Im glad you enjoyed it! he said. Want to go for a drink?

Sure! I didnt want the night to end. It was so good to be out among people, safe with a friend.

We walked to a small, dark little bar, near the movie theater, and sat in a corner booth. There was a pool table in the back with a foursome knocking balls back and forth. Fred got up and went to bar. He came back with a beer and a glass of wine. We sat, companionably, listening to the music on the juke box, talking about nothing, and then, he said, Ive got to ask you one question.

Oh, no , I thought, imagining the worst. My heart skipped a beat. I thought of my ex-husband, and all the things I didnt really want to talk about, but probably should What is it, Fred?

Are your eyelashes real? he asked.

What? I asked, astonished.

Ive never seen anyone with eyelashes as long as yours. Are they real? he asked, suddenly shy.

Yes, Fred, I said, gently, I cant glue eyelashes on, I get them crooked. Here, pull them and see. I guided his hand up to my eyelashes gently tugging at them. See? They are real. I just wear mascara

He laughed, and said, No one at the water company thinks your eyelashes are real. No one but Stella, and she said that you couldnt be out in the rain with eyelashes you glue on, they would come off.

Is that really what you wanted to ask, Fred? I asked him, softly. Did you really wonder if my eyelashes were real?

Well he said, shyly, I really wanted to know if you were planning on coming back to New York, any time.

I dont know, Fred, I said, gently. I dont know if Ill ever have another project up here. I know that I would like to come back. As much as Ive been lost at sea, I would love to come back and at least visit.

Do you think you could live here? he asked. He looked down at the table, but his hand took mine, gently.

I dont know, Fred, I said, thoughtfully. Living here would be hard, in a lot of ways. I dont fit in hereI dont fit in at home, either, but at least at home, I can talk to people and they understand me. Ive had a wonderful time here. I would like to come back. I would like to come back to visit, anyway.

Will you try to come back? he asked, looking into my eyes. I would like to see you again.

My heart thumped, suddenly. Yes, Fred, I said, startled by the truth. Ill try to come back. I would like to see you, too.

He said no more, nor did I, but he held my hand gently, and smiled at me, satisfied that we had come to some sort of an agreement. We finished our drinks, comfortable with each other. He drove me back to the hotel and walked me into the lobby, with his arm over my shoulders. I fit perfectly.

Are you going to be ok? he asked.

Thank you, Fred, I am absolutely ducky, I said. Thank you very much for tonight.

He took me to the elevator, and pushed the button for me. Sleep in tomorrow, he said. Get some rest. The elevator came, and he gently kissed my cheek. See you tomorrow.

I rode the elevator to my room, bemused. How quickly life can change!

Thanks for coming by!

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Part 8

Part 9

Part 10

Part 11

Part 12

Part 13

Part 14

Part 15

Part 16

Part 17

Part 18

Part 19

Part 20