Copyright 2006, Terry F. Phillips Sr.
All rights reserved.
Chapter 26
On the trip west, Connie explained all she knew about the puzzling relationship between Eddie Adams and Mrs. Davis, the lady who ran the boarding house in Chicago.
“I’m not really sure - that is, I find - what I’m trying to say is that there is something very peculiar about Eddie,” she said.
Ted smiled, thinking of the effeminate manner Eddie displayed while arguing with Barbara at the studio on Ted’s first night in Chicago.
But, he said, “Most radio people are peculiar.”
Connie shot a quick look at him.
“Don’t be patronizing,” she said. “It doesn’t become you.
“No, Ted, I mean there is something really strange about Eddie.”
“Is he homosexual?”
“I don’t think so,” she said.
She reddened ever so slightly. Whenever she had run into Eddie, she had seen him giving her the once over. There was chemistry there. He obviously appreciated women - in a sexual way.
But she understood Ted’s question. There was the lisp. Eddie had a tall, very thin, almost wispy, feminine appearance. His effeminate image did not fit the vibes she received when she was around him.
She tried again to explain what she knew.
“I was approached by Barbara,” she said.
“His girlfriend?”
“The girl who sang with him,” she said. “That was the problem. She was really mixed up. Poor kid.”
Connie took a swallow of her drink.
“She once told me that when she was falling for him, she could not get him to kiss her, so she took the initiative.”
She took another sip.
“And?”
“And, nothing. She said it felt like kissing her brother or her nephew.”
“How do Eddie and Mrs. Adams fit together?” he asked.
“I’m not sure they do - not really. Eddie stayed in the boarding house when he first came to Chicago; that’s what I was told. In fact,” she laughed. “He stayed in your room.”
Ted shivered involuntarily and Connie laughed more.
“I think they may be distant relation or she just felt sorry for him and sort of adopted him - you know, they way she does everyone who stays in her house.”
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Friday, July 28, 2006
"Great Times," Chapter 25
Copyright 2006, Terry F. Phillips Sr.
All rights reserved.
Chapter 25
The three found a department store, bought a few things to tide them over and got rooms in a nearby hotel.
Nights in a small railroad sleeper berth had not allowed them the rest they obtained in one night in the Roswell hotel.
In fact, they overslept. Each of the three had forgotten to ask to be awakened the next morning.
When Ted and Connie entered the hotel’s restaurant, they found Howard reading a newspaper.
“It seems our Mr. Brazel had a bit of excitement this week,” Howard said, tossing the paper across the table.
The story told of the crash of an unidentified flying object at the Brazel ranch. The same ranch where Eddie was working.
“Come on, “ Howard said. “I suspect Mr. Brazel will have lots of company this fine July day.”
The three found the taxi cab company and asked for the driver they had the night before. He was available and agreed to take them out to the Brazel ranch.
“Did you hear about all the excitement out there yesterday?” he asked. The driver was obviously more interested in talking than he was the day before. “UFO they call it. Little green men! I mean to tell you - it’s the most exciting thing that ever happened to this little town.”
When the yellow taxi arrived at the Brazel ranch, there were Air Force vehicles swarming over the place.
A guard would not let them drive past the gate.
“You folks with the press?” the young soldier asked. Without waiting for an answer he said, “You’ll be given all you need to know at the press conference. Might as well turn around and go back.”
“Whoever heard of a reporter riding in a taxi?” Howard grumbled. “Well, Miss Collins, what do you suggest we do now?”
Ted saw a civilian on a horse watching the crowd.
“He might be able to tell us something about Eddie,” Ted said.
“Excuse me,” Ted said, approaching the rider on horseback. “Can you give me some information?”
“I don’t know nothin’” the cowboy said and moved his horse in another direction.
“We’re not from the press,” Ted called out. “I’m looking for one of Mr. Brazel’s employees.”
“Oh, that’s different,” the cowboy said. “Happy to oblige. What do you want to know?”
He spat a mouthful of tobacco juice.
“We’re looking for a man named Eddie. Eddie Adams,” Ted said. “Man in town said he worked for Mr. Brazel.”
“Yeah,” the cowboy drawled. “Yeah, he did. But he cleared out right after the UFO crash. Weird sort of duck.”
“Did he say where he was going?” Ted asked.
“Yeah, he was pretty upset,” the cowboy told him. “Kept sayin’ how awful the crash was. How awful, what a waste of lives - almost like he knew who was aboard that thing, you know?
“Said somethin’ about goin on, that he would have to decide what to do next.”
“Do you know where he was going?” Ted asked again.
“No,” but I got the idee he might be going on west to California. See, I heard him say he was a singer and he thought he could find work in Los Angeles. Maybe Hollywood.
“Sure hope he’s OK because he sure can’t do much on a ranch. Guess the boss just felt sorry for him when he showed up.”
Ted thanked the cowboy and hurried back to the bus.
“Eddie was here, all right,” he told Connie and Howard. “But he left. The cowboy thinks he was headed to Los Angeles.”
“Good enough for me,” Howard said. “Driver, take us to Corona. We’ll catch the train there.”
To Connie he said, “My dear, we’ll look for Eddie in Los Angeles when we get there, but without a car, we have no idea where he might be. Let’s just hope he makes it. I have some friends in the movie industry. If he does try to find a job in Hollywood, they will hear about it.”
Soon, the trio found their bags and was on the train once more.
That night, the “cowboy” met Eddie at a pre-arranged location on the ranch.
“Your friends from Chicago are on their way west,” the cowboy told Eddie. “Our tracks are covered.”
“It’s a good thing you arrived early,” Eddie remarked. “Otherwise, I might not have given them the slip as easily.”
“Glad to help,” said the cowboy, a time traveler Eddie planned to meet in New Mexico.
“When are the others coming?” Eddie asked.
“On the Fourth – just like we planned before you jumped back to 1947. Are you staying to meet them?”
“No, not in my current condition,” Eddie said. “This effeminate façade I’m wearing doesn’t set well with these cowboys.”
The two grinned at their secret.
“Besides,” Eddie continued. “Since you brought the portable device to me, I can jump back to 2147 any time I please.
“Actually, I think I will go on west. After conquering Chicago radio, I’d like to try my luck on the Los Angeles nightclub circuit.”
“What if they find you?”
Eddie shrugged off the question, but was thinking it might be fun to take the 1947 gang to his world and see how they fare there.
All rights reserved.
Chapter 25
The three found a department store, bought a few things to tide them over and got rooms in a nearby hotel.
Nights in a small railroad sleeper berth had not allowed them the rest they obtained in one night in the Roswell hotel.
In fact, they overslept. Each of the three had forgotten to ask to be awakened the next morning.
When Ted and Connie entered the hotel’s restaurant, they found Howard reading a newspaper.
“It seems our Mr. Brazel had a bit of excitement this week,” Howard said, tossing the paper across the table.
The story told of the crash of an unidentified flying object at the Brazel ranch. The same ranch where Eddie was working.
“Come on, “ Howard said. “I suspect Mr. Brazel will have lots of company this fine July day.”
The three found the taxi cab company and asked for the driver they had the night before. He was available and agreed to take them out to the Brazel ranch.
“Did you hear about all the excitement out there yesterday?” he asked. The driver was obviously more interested in talking than he was the day before. “UFO they call it. Little green men! I mean to tell you - it’s the most exciting thing that ever happened to this little town.”
When the yellow taxi arrived at the Brazel ranch, there were Air Force vehicles swarming over the place.
A guard would not let them drive past the gate.
“You folks with the press?” the young soldier asked. Without waiting for an answer he said, “You’ll be given all you need to know at the press conference. Might as well turn around and go back.”
“Whoever heard of a reporter riding in a taxi?” Howard grumbled. “Well, Miss Collins, what do you suggest we do now?”
Ted saw a civilian on a horse watching the crowd.
“He might be able to tell us something about Eddie,” Ted said.
“Excuse me,” Ted said, approaching the rider on horseback. “Can you give me some information?”
“I don’t know nothin’” the cowboy said and moved his horse in another direction.
“We’re not from the press,” Ted called out. “I’m looking for one of Mr. Brazel’s employees.”
“Oh, that’s different,” the cowboy said. “Happy to oblige. What do you want to know?”
He spat a mouthful of tobacco juice.
“We’re looking for a man named Eddie. Eddie Adams,” Ted said. “Man in town said he worked for Mr. Brazel.”
“Yeah,” the cowboy drawled. “Yeah, he did. But he cleared out right after the UFO crash. Weird sort of duck.”
“Did he say where he was going?” Ted asked.
“Yeah, he was pretty upset,” the cowboy told him. “Kept sayin’ how awful the crash was. How awful, what a waste of lives - almost like he knew who was aboard that thing, you know?
“Said somethin’ about goin on, that he would have to decide what to do next.”
“Do you know where he was going?” Ted asked again.
“No,” but I got the idee he might be going on west to California. See, I heard him say he was a singer and he thought he could find work in Los Angeles. Maybe Hollywood.
“Sure hope he’s OK because he sure can’t do much on a ranch. Guess the boss just felt sorry for him when he showed up.”
Ted thanked the cowboy and hurried back to the bus.
“Eddie was here, all right,” he told Connie and Howard. “But he left. The cowboy thinks he was headed to Los Angeles.”
“Good enough for me,” Howard said. “Driver, take us to Corona. We’ll catch the train there.”
To Connie he said, “My dear, we’ll look for Eddie in Los Angeles when we get there, but without a car, we have no idea where he might be. Let’s just hope he makes it. I have some friends in the movie industry. If he does try to find a job in Hollywood, they will hear about it.”
Soon, the trio found their bags and was on the train once more.
That night, the “cowboy” met Eddie at a pre-arranged location on the ranch.
“Your friends from Chicago are on their way west,” the cowboy told Eddie. “Our tracks are covered.”
“It’s a good thing you arrived early,” Eddie remarked. “Otherwise, I might not have given them the slip as easily.”
“Glad to help,” said the cowboy, a time traveler Eddie planned to meet in New Mexico.
“When are the others coming?” Eddie asked.
“On the Fourth – just like we planned before you jumped back to 1947. Are you staying to meet them?”
“No, not in my current condition,” Eddie said. “This effeminate façade I’m wearing doesn’t set well with these cowboys.”
The two grinned at their secret.
“Besides,” Eddie continued. “Since you brought the portable device to me, I can jump back to 2147 any time I please.
“Actually, I think I will go on west. After conquering Chicago radio, I’d like to try my luck on the Los Angeles nightclub circuit.”
“What if they find you?”
Eddie shrugged off the question, but was thinking it might be fun to take the 1947 gang to his world and see how they fare there.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
"Great Times," Chapter 24
Copyright 2006, Terry F. Phillips Sr.
All rights reserved
Chapter 24
Soon, Howard was back from talking to the ticket agent and Ted had hailed a taxi, thinking their boss would be happier paying for a long taxi cab ride than to be pressed into a bus full of strangers.
The three piled into the taxi, Ted and Connie in the back seat and Howard in the front, so he could “keep an eye on the meter,” meaning he didn’t trust the driver.
Howard’s mood had started to sour with the New Mexico heat. He was pleasant enough when sitting in the train club car with a high ball in his hand, chatting with fellow passengers. But, this was a different matter. He felt too old and fat to be chasing around strange places, looking for a singer who left with no notice. Eddie had been slated to star in that new man on the street radio show and with Beck in the hospital; the whole project had been put on standby. Howard hoped the advertiser wouldn’t change his mind before the program was ready to go on the air.
As the taxi made its way through Roswell’s downtown, she did it again.
“Stop the car!” she yelled. “There he is!”
This time, Ted saw him, too. Eddie was distinctive because of his shaved head and he noticed that if it weren’t Eddie, it was surely his twin.
As the two looked at him, Eddie seemed to feel their stares and looked back. He quickly ducked into a hardware store.
“Stop the car!” Ted ordered.
Howard groaned as his two proteges leaped from the car.
“Hey!” the driver yelled.
“Here,” Howard said, handing him a $5 bill. “Keep the tip, but wait for us!”
“OK, OK.”
Connie and Ted ran into the hardware store to find a man leaning on the counter, halfway to the back of the store, reading a catalog.
“Help you?” he asked.
“We’re looking for someone,” Ted said. “A man with a shaved head. We just saw him come in here.”
“Nobody like that been here,” he said, looking up. “Say, you folks aren’t from around here, are you?”
“We’re looking for a friend of ours,” Connie insisted. “I know he came in here. Where did he go? His family is worried about him.”
“You related to him?” the clerk asked.
“No,” Howard said, thinking about the waiting taxi.
“Practically,” Connie said. “Look. His aunt lives in Chicago. That’s where we come from. Eddie is supposed to be in San Francisco and we saw him at the train depot here in Roswell. He disappeared. Then we saw him come in here. Please, help us!”
The man took the tail of his apron and wiped his forehead.
“Sure gets hot in July,” he said. “Bet it’s not that warm where you came from.”
“Oh, come on!” Howard said. “He is going to tell you anything! Let’s go.”
“Wait, mister,” the clerk said to Connie. “You say that fellow you’re lookin’ for has family in Chicago?
“I didn’t know that. He said something about a girl friend he was running from, so when I saw you, I thought you were the girl he was talking about.”
“No,” Connie insisted. “He knew a girl named Barbara in Illinois, but my name is Connie Collins. These men are with me. This is Ted Lane and Mr. Howard. We’re on our way to Los Angeles on a business trip, but I have to talk to Eddie, if I can.”
“Well, look,” the clerk paused again, for an excruciatingly long time before he continued. “OK, OK. Look, he works for a man named Brazel, on a ranch a few miles from Roswell. Mac Brazel is the rancher’s name. He lives near Corona. You want a map?”
The three stood still, watching him.
“Look. I’m being straight with you this time. This Eddie you asked about ran in here and then out the back way. He’s probably half way to Corona by now, but you might catch him, if you hurry.”
By this time, Howard was weakening and realized there would be no peace until Connie found Eddie Adams and told him to phone home.
“The cab driver said he would wait for us,” Howard said. “Let’s find that ranch.”
Double-checking Mac Brazel’s name, the three left the hardware store, walking past wooden cabinets filled with fasteners, past all the other items that make a hardware store what it is.
“It’s been years since I was in a hardware store like that one,” Howard said. “Guess I do need to get out the city once in a while.”
“They are all alike,” Ted agreed, thinking about the hardware stores in South Bend. The driver said he knew where the Brazel ranch was, but it was getting late, so he didn’t think they would be able to get on the property that day. Instead, he offered to write down the directions and take the three to a hotel.
After paying the driver, Howard paused as they watched the man drive off.
“I just realized - none of us have any clothing or toiletries! They were supposed to be put off at the next town!”
“Well, wonder where the nearest department store is,” Connie said.
All rights reserved
Chapter 24
Soon, Howard was back from talking to the ticket agent and Ted had hailed a taxi, thinking their boss would be happier paying for a long taxi cab ride than to be pressed into a bus full of strangers.
The three piled into the taxi, Ted and Connie in the back seat and Howard in the front, so he could “keep an eye on the meter,” meaning he didn’t trust the driver.
Howard’s mood had started to sour with the New Mexico heat. He was pleasant enough when sitting in the train club car with a high ball in his hand, chatting with fellow passengers. But, this was a different matter. He felt too old and fat to be chasing around strange places, looking for a singer who left with no notice. Eddie had been slated to star in that new man on the street radio show and with Beck in the hospital; the whole project had been put on standby. Howard hoped the advertiser wouldn’t change his mind before the program was ready to go on the air.
As the taxi made its way through Roswell’s downtown, she did it again.
“Stop the car!” she yelled. “There he is!”
This time, Ted saw him, too. Eddie was distinctive because of his shaved head and he noticed that if it weren’t Eddie, it was surely his twin.
As the two looked at him, Eddie seemed to feel their stares and looked back. He quickly ducked into a hardware store.
“Stop the car!” Ted ordered.
Howard groaned as his two proteges leaped from the car.
“Hey!” the driver yelled.
“Here,” Howard said, handing him a $5 bill. “Keep the tip, but wait for us!”
“OK, OK.”
Connie and Ted ran into the hardware store to find a man leaning on the counter, halfway to the back of the store, reading a catalog.
“Help you?” he asked.
“We’re looking for someone,” Ted said. “A man with a shaved head. We just saw him come in here.”
“Nobody like that been here,” he said, looking up. “Say, you folks aren’t from around here, are you?”
“We’re looking for a friend of ours,” Connie insisted. “I know he came in here. Where did he go? His family is worried about him.”
“You related to him?” the clerk asked.
“No,” Howard said, thinking about the waiting taxi.
“Practically,” Connie said. “Look. His aunt lives in Chicago. That’s where we come from. Eddie is supposed to be in San Francisco and we saw him at the train depot here in Roswell. He disappeared. Then we saw him come in here. Please, help us!”
The man took the tail of his apron and wiped his forehead.
“Sure gets hot in July,” he said. “Bet it’s not that warm where you came from.”
“Oh, come on!” Howard said. “He is going to tell you anything! Let’s go.”
“Wait, mister,” the clerk said to Connie. “You say that fellow you’re lookin’ for has family in Chicago?
“I didn’t know that. He said something about a girl friend he was running from, so when I saw you, I thought you were the girl he was talking about.”
“No,” Connie insisted. “He knew a girl named Barbara in Illinois, but my name is Connie Collins. These men are with me. This is Ted Lane and Mr. Howard. We’re on our way to Los Angeles on a business trip, but I have to talk to Eddie, if I can.”
“Well, look,” the clerk paused again, for an excruciatingly long time before he continued. “OK, OK. Look, he works for a man named Brazel, on a ranch a few miles from Roswell. Mac Brazel is the rancher’s name. He lives near Corona. You want a map?”
The three stood still, watching him.
“Look. I’m being straight with you this time. This Eddie you asked about ran in here and then out the back way. He’s probably half way to Corona by now, but you might catch him, if you hurry.”
By this time, Howard was weakening and realized there would be no peace until Connie found Eddie Adams and told him to phone home.
“The cab driver said he would wait for us,” Howard said. “Let’s find that ranch.”
Double-checking Mac Brazel’s name, the three left the hardware store, walking past wooden cabinets filled with fasteners, past all the other items that make a hardware store what it is.
“It’s been years since I was in a hardware store like that one,” Howard said. “Guess I do need to get out the city once in a while.”
“They are all alike,” Ted agreed, thinking about the hardware stores in South Bend. The driver said he knew where the Brazel ranch was, but it was getting late, so he didn’t think they would be able to get on the property that day. Instead, he offered to write down the directions and take the three to a hotel.
After paying the driver, Howard paused as they watched the man drive off.
“I just realized - none of us have any clothing or toiletries! They were supposed to be put off at the next town!”
“Well, wonder where the nearest department store is,” Connie said.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
"Great Times," Chapter 23
Copyright 2006, Terry F. Phillips Sr.
All rights reserved.
Chapter 23
It took Connie a surprisingly short time to pack, Ted thought, as they made their way to the railroad depot.
Carol was used making travel arrangements for Howard, so she arranged for separate berths in a railroad car for Ted and Connie in a snap.
Howard wished he were going with them. He thought he might take a vacation trip, just for pleasure, but he wasn’t sure when.
Then it occurred to him. Why couldn’t he go now? It would be a business trip, but thoughts of California sounded inviting.
He quickly buzzed his receptionist.
“Carol, get me a ticket on that train the kids are taking to California, will you?” he said on the intercom. “That’s right. We’ll surprise them. Don’t say anything to Ted or Connie, all right? … That’s good.”
Because Beck was hospitalized and other announcers were taking over his shifts, including The Beer Hour, Ted was freed up to go to the rooming house and pack the clothing he would need for southern California.
He could only guess at whether to take or leave some of his things, but soon, decisions were made and his bulky two-suiter Samsonite case was stuffed to capacity.
He checked his imitation alligator-hide shaving kit and threw it into the suitcase when he was sure it was filled with everything he would need - including tubes of toothpaste and shaving cream, a toothbrush, safety razor and extra blades.
That night, he and Connie ate their last meal at Mrs. Davis’ table for a while.
The trip was expected to take two weeks, but Howard was willing to pay for them to stay longer, if needed.
So it was that when Ted and Connie got out of the taxi in front of Union Station, they had no idea of the adventure that they were embarking upon.
They made their way through the great train station, stopping to check on the status of their train.
Finding it arrived early, they went on out to the great covered walkways that protected travelers from rain and snow in all seasons and the heat of August in the great Midwest.
Boarding a gray passenger car, they were escorted by a porter to their berths, where they promptly deposited their cases on their beds.
Next was a trip to the club car and departure to Kansas City and all points west.
In the club car, Ted asked Connie if she would like something to drink. When she declined, he ordered a scotch and soda and the two took seats to watch the passing view.
Soon the train pulled out of the station with a mighty blast of its whistle. A spaghetti bowl of train tracks weaved in and out as the train left Chicago. On occasion, passing trains would suddenly roar past their window. Ted could only imagine passengers glad to be arriving in Chicago. Perhaps some were just as excited as he was when he had recently made the trip from South Bend on the South Shore Line.
Then the hustle and bustle of the city gave way to a more pastoral setting as the train passed mile after mile of corn fields, wheat fields and rural towns. Occasionally, children could be seen alongside the track, waving, hoping some of the passengers would wave back.
Bells would sound as the train made its way past small town railroad crossings, occasionally Ted could see men and women driving Ford and Chevy sedans waiting patiently for the train to pass.
This was exciting. He wondered if he would soon become a part of the television business and how often he would be making this trip to California for Mr. Howard. Perhaps. He would fly instead of always taking the train. Flying would have to be quicker, he thought, sipping his drink.
After a few hours of travel, Connie spoke up.
“I’m famished. How about a trip to the dining car?”
“I’m game,” Ted said.
Carol had given him a $1,000 check for spending money. He was expected to keep track of their expenses so he could account for it at the end of the trip. Remembering, this, he took a black leather notebook from his jacket pocket and wrote down the tip he had given the porter. He wondered if his drink should go in the book, but decided against it.
Howard smoked, but Ted had no idea how he stood on drinking. Caution might be the better tact.
After checking with the club car attendant, the couple found the dining car just past their sleeper.
It was already filling up with hungry travelers, but they found a table with a four-place setting. Realizing they might have to share their table, Ted and Connie took seats against the train window.
Soon, the waiter arrived to bring ice water and take their orders.
As they chatted about their expectations for the trip, a familiar voice startled Ted.
“Mind if I join you two,” Howard asked. “Or, is this a private party?”
“Boss!” Ted said, with a smile. “Have a seat.”
“Don’t get up, Ted,” Howard said with a grin. “I just thought I might join you two on this little excursion. Since I’m investing my money on the basis of your reports, and since it’s been a while since I’ve left the office, I thought we might make this trip together.”
“To the three amigos!” Connie said, lifting her water glass.
“Hear, hear!” Ted and Howard said in unison, then the three laughed together.
The rest of the trip out west was uneventful with the trio spending their days chatting away and enjoying the view. With an exception.
At Roswell, NEW MEXICO, Connie made an unplanned exit from the train.
The three were in the club car when Connie cried out unexpectedly and bolted from her seat. The train was stopped at the station and a few people could be seen on the platform.
Ted and Howard looked at each other and instinctively followed her. They were confounded to see her get off the train and run into the depot.
“Connie, wait!” Ted yelled.
He pursued her into the small train waiting room with Howard in tow. Neither man heard the train pull away from the station.
Inside, they found a bewildered Connie looking from corner to corner.
“What’s going on?” Ted demanded. “Why did you run away like that?”
“I saw him,” she said breathlessly. “He shouldn’t be here, but he is. I saw him.”
“Who?” Howard asked, catching up to the other two.
“Eddie,” she said. “Eddie Adams. He’s supposed to be in California but I saw him on the platform. Just as I ran into the station, I saw him get into a black car and drive off with another person.”
Ted explained to Howard that Connie was quite concerned about Mrs. Davis nephew. But Connie was not a compulsive person by nature. Her irrational decision to leave the train was just not in keeping with what Ted and Howard had seen in her to date.
“Mrs. Davis is worried about him,” Connie continued. “She even told me to keep my eyes open for him in California!”
Mrs. Davis, though she had met many show business types of people was not well-traveled or schooled. She did not understand that just because so many vaudevillians knew each other and were now working in Los Angeles, that California is a big state and the possibility of Connie finding Eddie were slim and none. But she had seen him. Not in California, but in the little railroad station at Roswell, New Mexico.
“Are you sure?” Howard asked, knowing the answer. Now he was not too sure he had made the best decision to travel with these young people. He looked back over his shoulder and saw the space occupied by their train was now empty.
“We’ve missed the train,” he said. “I’ll arrange to have our things put off at the next stop. Ted, you get a car to take us to - wherever that next stop is.”
Howard left the pair in search of a railroad employee who might be able to help him.
Ted was confused. He didn’t know whether to be upset with Connie, or admire her for her commitment to Mrs. Davis.
“I guess I better find a taxi or bus to take us to the next town,” he said. “Now, don’t you go running off again.”
Connie just stood there, looking bewildered .
All rights reserved.
Chapter 23
It took Connie a surprisingly short time to pack, Ted thought, as they made their way to the railroad depot.
Carol was used making travel arrangements for Howard, so she arranged for separate berths in a railroad car for Ted and Connie in a snap.
Howard wished he were going with them. He thought he might take a vacation trip, just for pleasure, but he wasn’t sure when.
Then it occurred to him. Why couldn’t he go now? It would be a business trip, but thoughts of California sounded inviting.
He quickly buzzed his receptionist.
“Carol, get me a ticket on that train the kids are taking to California, will you?” he said on the intercom. “That’s right. We’ll surprise them. Don’t say anything to Ted or Connie, all right? … That’s good.”
Because Beck was hospitalized and other announcers were taking over his shifts, including The Beer Hour, Ted was freed up to go to the rooming house and pack the clothing he would need for southern California.
He could only guess at whether to take or leave some of his things, but soon, decisions were made and his bulky two-suiter Samsonite case was stuffed to capacity.
He checked his imitation alligator-hide shaving kit and threw it into the suitcase when he was sure it was filled with everything he would need - including tubes of toothpaste and shaving cream, a toothbrush, safety razor and extra blades.
That night, he and Connie ate their last meal at Mrs. Davis’ table for a while.
The trip was expected to take two weeks, but Howard was willing to pay for them to stay longer, if needed.
So it was that when Ted and Connie got out of the taxi in front of Union Station, they had no idea of the adventure that they were embarking upon.
They made their way through the great train station, stopping to check on the status of their train.
Finding it arrived early, they went on out to the great covered walkways that protected travelers from rain and snow in all seasons and the heat of August in the great Midwest.
Boarding a gray passenger car, they were escorted by a porter to their berths, where they promptly deposited their cases on their beds.
Next was a trip to the club car and departure to Kansas City and all points west.
In the club car, Ted asked Connie if she would like something to drink. When she declined, he ordered a scotch and soda and the two took seats to watch the passing view.
Soon the train pulled out of the station with a mighty blast of its whistle. A spaghetti bowl of train tracks weaved in and out as the train left Chicago. On occasion, passing trains would suddenly roar past their window. Ted could only imagine passengers glad to be arriving in Chicago. Perhaps some were just as excited as he was when he had recently made the trip from South Bend on the South Shore Line.
Then the hustle and bustle of the city gave way to a more pastoral setting as the train passed mile after mile of corn fields, wheat fields and rural towns. Occasionally, children could be seen alongside the track, waving, hoping some of the passengers would wave back.
Bells would sound as the train made its way past small town railroad crossings, occasionally Ted could see men and women driving Ford and Chevy sedans waiting patiently for the train to pass.
This was exciting. He wondered if he would soon become a part of the television business and how often he would be making this trip to California for Mr. Howard. Perhaps. He would fly instead of always taking the train. Flying would have to be quicker, he thought, sipping his drink.
After a few hours of travel, Connie spoke up.
“I’m famished. How about a trip to the dining car?”
“I’m game,” Ted said.
Carol had given him a $1,000 check for spending money. He was expected to keep track of their expenses so he could account for it at the end of the trip. Remembering, this, he took a black leather notebook from his jacket pocket and wrote down the tip he had given the porter. He wondered if his drink should go in the book, but decided against it.
Howard smoked, but Ted had no idea how he stood on drinking. Caution might be the better tact.
After checking with the club car attendant, the couple found the dining car just past their sleeper.
It was already filling up with hungry travelers, but they found a table with a four-place setting. Realizing they might have to share their table, Ted and Connie took seats against the train window.
Soon, the waiter arrived to bring ice water and take their orders.
As they chatted about their expectations for the trip, a familiar voice startled Ted.
“Mind if I join you two,” Howard asked. “Or, is this a private party?”
“Boss!” Ted said, with a smile. “Have a seat.”
“Don’t get up, Ted,” Howard said with a grin. “I just thought I might join you two on this little excursion. Since I’m investing my money on the basis of your reports, and since it’s been a while since I’ve left the office, I thought we might make this trip together.”
“To the three amigos!” Connie said, lifting her water glass.
“Hear, hear!” Ted and Howard said in unison, then the three laughed together.
The rest of the trip out west was uneventful with the trio spending their days chatting away and enjoying the view. With an exception.
At Roswell, NEW MEXICO, Connie made an unplanned exit from the train.
The three were in the club car when Connie cried out unexpectedly and bolted from her seat. The train was stopped at the station and a few people could be seen on the platform.
Ted and Howard looked at each other and instinctively followed her. They were confounded to see her get off the train and run into the depot.
“Connie, wait!” Ted yelled.
He pursued her into the small train waiting room with Howard in tow. Neither man heard the train pull away from the station.
Inside, they found a bewildered Connie looking from corner to corner.
“What’s going on?” Ted demanded. “Why did you run away like that?”
“I saw him,” she said breathlessly. “He shouldn’t be here, but he is. I saw him.”
“Who?” Howard asked, catching up to the other two.
“Eddie,” she said. “Eddie Adams. He’s supposed to be in California but I saw him on the platform. Just as I ran into the station, I saw him get into a black car and drive off with another person.”
Ted explained to Howard that Connie was quite concerned about Mrs. Davis nephew. But Connie was not a compulsive person by nature. Her irrational decision to leave the train was just not in keeping with what Ted and Howard had seen in her to date.
“Mrs. Davis is worried about him,” Connie continued. “She even told me to keep my eyes open for him in California!”
Mrs. Davis, though she had met many show business types of people was not well-traveled or schooled. She did not understand that just because so many vaudevillians knew each other and were now working in Los Angeles, that California is a big state and the possibility of Connie finding Eddie were slim and none. But she had seen him. Not in California, but in the little railroad station at Roswell, New Mexico.
“Are you sure?” Howard asked, knowing the answer. Now he was not too sure he had made the best decision to travel with these young people. He looked back over his shoulder and saw the space occupied by their train was now empty.
“We’ve missed the train,” he said. “I’ll arrange to have our things put off at the next stop. Ted, you get a car to take us to - wherever that next stop is.”
Howard left the pair in search of a railroad employee who might be able to help him.
Ted was confused. He didn’t know whether to be upset with Connie, or admire her for her commitment to Mrs. Davis.
“I guess I better find a taxi or bus to take us to the next town,” he said. “Now, don’t you go running off again.”
Connie just stood there, looking bewildered .
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
"Great Times," Chapter 22
Copyright 2006, Terry F. Phillips Sr.
All rights reserved
Chapter 22
The next morning, he gained access to Howard’s office.
“Mr. Howard, we have to talk this over,” Ted said.
He had decided on a plan of action during his stroll on Chicago’s sidewalks the previous evening.
“Look, I’m sorry about Mr. Beck. I really am. But I think I can handle your scouting expedition as well as Mr. Beck.”
Howard sat back with one hand over his mouth, tapping a pencil on his desk blotter. He had a grin that he was trying to suppress while he let Ted argue his case.
Howard had already decided to let the young man make the trip. Ted was in his 20s and was of the generation he hoped to reach when he made the swing from radio into television.
Ted’s enthusiasm was very entertaining, but eventually Howard cut him off.
“Ted, you’ve sold me,” he said.
“What?” Ted said, barely able to contain his excitement. “You don’t mean it!”
“Sure, Beck could have offered some insights that you might miss, but he is a radio guy from way back. You may see some possibilities that would allude him.
Leaving Howard’s office, Ted was filled with enthusiasm. If he wasn’t wearing a suit and tie he might have jumped to touch the ceiling.
He planned to make a trip to the hospital that afternoon.
All rights reserved
Chapter 22
The next morning, he gained access to Howard’s office.
“Mr. Howard, we have to talk this over,” Ted said.
He had decided on a plan of action during his stroll on Chicago’s sidewalks the previous evening.
“Look, I’m sorry about Mr. Beck. I really am. But I think I can handle your scouting expedition as well as Mr. Beck.”
Howard sat back with one hand over his mouth, tapping a pencil on his desk blotter. He had a grin that he was trying to suppress while he let Ted argue his case.
Howard had already decided to let the young man make the trip. Ted was in his 20s and was of the generation he hoped to reach when he made the swing from radio into television.
Ted’s enthusiasm was very entertaining, but eventually Howard cut him off.
“Ted, you’ve sold me,” he said.
“What?” Ted said, barely able to contain his excitement. “You don’t mean it!”
“Sure, Beck could have offered some insights that you might miss, but he is a radio guy from way back. You may see some possibilities that would allude him.
Leaving Howard’s office, Ted was filled with enthusiasm. If he wasn’t wearing a suit and tie he might have jumped to touch the ceiling.
He planned to make a trip to the hospital that afternoon.
Monday, July 24, 2006
"Great Times," Chapter 21
Copyright 2006, Terry F. Phillips Sr.
All rights reserved.
Chapter 21
When Ted returned to the rooming house, another surprise awaited him.
Mrs. Davis pulled a slip of paper from her apron pocket and handed it to him.
Ted made his way to the pay telephone in the hallway and immediately dialed the number on the paper slip.
“Ted, plans have changed,” the voice on the other end of the line said. “Beck has been hospitalized. I’m afraid the trip out west is off.”
“Off?” Ted said. “What happened to Mr. Beck? Has he been injured?”
“No, apparently he has had a heart attack,” said Mr. Howard, for that was the number Mrs. Davis had given Ted. “It doesn’t look good.”
“Well, I’m sorry, Mr. Howard,” Ted said. “Yes, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He needed air, so instead of turning back down the hall to Mrs. Davis’ quarters, he headed for the street. A walk in the cool night air might help him think.
All rights reserved.
Chapter 21
When Ted returned to the rooming house, another surprise awaited him.
Mrs. Davis pulled a slip of paper from her apron pocket and handed it to him.
Ted made his way to the pay telephone in the hallway and immediately dialed the number on the paper slip.
“Ted, plans have changed,” the voice on the other end of the line said. “Beck has been hospitalized. I’m afraid the trip out west is off.”
“Off?” Ted said. “What happened to Mr. Beck? Has he been injured?”
“No, apparently he has had a heart attack,” said Mr. Howard, for that was the number Mrs. Davis had given Ted. “It doesn’t look good.”
“Well, I’m sorry, Mr. Howard,” Ted said. “Yes, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He needed air, so instead of turning back down the hall to Mrs. Davis’ quarters, he headed for the street. A walk in the cool night air might help him think.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
'Great Times," Chapter 20
Copyright 2006, Terry F. Phillips Sr.
All rights reserved.
Chapter 20
Ted rushed back to the boarding house, a place that was beginning to feel like home, even if he and Connie were going to be taking a trip together before he could get settled in.
Hurrying down the hall, he ran to Connie’s room and looked in.
Mrs. Davis was running a vacuum cleaner but it looked as if all Connie’s personal effects had been removed.
“What’s going on?” he asked. “Where is Miss Collins?”
Mrs. Davis stopped the vacuum cleaner and looked up.
“You just missed her, Ted. She got a call from her family. They wanted her to come home. So, she left.”
Mrs. Davis turned on the vacuum’s switch but it was just as soon switched off by Ted.
“Where is she now? How is she traveling?”
“She had one of the boys take her to the railroad station,” Mrs. Davis said.
“Which one? I’ve got to talk to her.”
“I don’t know, Ted. I have problems of my own with my nephew, Eddie. Some days I think trouble is all you radio people are good for. The Marx brothers didn’t give me as many fits when they lived here”
Ted didn’t hear the last two sentences. After “I don’t know,” he was out the door.
Twenty seconds later he was hailing a taxi, though he could ill afford it. Twenty minutes later he was at the train station suggested by the cab driver, but could not find Connie in the huge waiting room.
All rights reserved.
Chapter 20
Ted rushed back to the boarding house, a place that was beginning to feel like home, even if he and Connie were going to be taking a trip together before he could get settled in.
Hurrying down the hall, he ran to Connie’s room and looked in.
Mrs. Davis was running a vacuum cleaner but it looked as if all Connie’s personal effects had been removed.
“What’s going on?” he asked. “Where is Miss Collins?”
Mrs. Davis stopped the vacuum cleaner and looked up.
“You just missed her, Ted. She got a call from her family. They wanted her to come home. So, she left.”
Mrs. Davis turned on the vacuum’s switch but it was just as soon switched off by Ted.
“Where is she now? How is she traveling?”
“She had one of the boys take her to the railroad station,” Mrs. Davis said.
“Which one? I’ve got to talk to her.”
“I don’t know, Ted. I have problems of my own with my nephew, Eddie. Some days I think trouble is all you radio people are good for. The Marx brothers didn’t give me as many fits when they lived here”
Ted didn’t hear the last two sentences. After “I don’t know,” he was out the door.
Twenty seconds later he was hailing a taxi, though he could ill afford it. Twenty minutes later he was at the train station suggested by the cab driver, but could not find Connie in the huge waiting room.
Theater review: 'Steel Magnolias' is about more than the strength of flowers
By FRANK and LINDA PHILLIPS
frankphi@hotmail.com
My mother was a beautician, a fact that has made me avoid beauty shops whenever possible (even though many barbers have been replaced by hair stylists). She did not work full-time while I was growing up, but we occasionally visited her friend, Alta, who had a beauty shop in the basement of her home.
I did not like the smell, I did not like the noisy hair dryers, the hair rolled up in curlers or anything else associated with the beauty shop and that included the stories of near-death experiences in the magazines Alta kept on hand. The stories scared me to death!
Alta was an unhappy, hard-bitten woman who usually smelled of alcohol or some chemical used in her shop. Her husband had left her some years before I was born and I sympathized with him.
So, when Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre decided to do "Steel Magnolias," a show set in a small Mississippi beauty shop, I told my wife, "You'll have to do most of the review, I'm sure I won't like it."
I needn't have been too concerned. The audience was largely female at Beef & Boards, Indianapolis, Saturday night. But the story was written by a man, Robert Harling -- yes, I'm sure his testosterone levels were at the full mark. He wrote the show after his sister died from complications following childbirth and his sister's story is the thread that holds this comedy together.
It is set in a small Mississippi town in the 1980s. The cast is all women (with the exception of the radio announcer we hear between scenes). But with few changes, it could easily be adapted to a barber shop full of men.
In the first act, a new girl in town gets a job in the little beauty shop built in an enclosed carport. The beautician's husband enclosed the carport so she could support him, she says.
The new beautician, Annelle, changes during the show from an unsecure child who doesn't know if she is legally married or not to a Bible quotin' Born Again Baptist.
One of the customers is Shelby. It is Shelby's wedding day. Shelby is a strong, independent woman who chooses to ignore her doctor's advice against having children.
The last scene (SPOILER COMING!) shows how the women of the beauty shop deal with Shelby's death and the way they help Shelby's mother cope. (END OF SPOILER)
"Steel Magnolias" could just as easily be titled something more appropriate to a mixed or an all-male cast. It celebrates the strength and resilience of the human spirit.
I'm sure no one who has dealt with personal tragedy thinks in those terms, but it is the strength that is celebrated by Paul Harvey and the Biography Channel.
The words are right and that makes the show ring true.
The show reminds Linda of "Cheers" or "The Odd Couple" where people find strength through their friendships.
Sweet Shelby is played by Shelby Rose who has acted in New York theaters.
The cast includes Gene Raye Price, who will forever be recognized as Miss Kepler, the science teacher, on the Barney (the grinning purple dinosaur) show on TV. Also look for her in the upcoming TV mini-series, "Comanche Moon" in February. Lynne Perkins, Grace Sell and Deb Wims round out this fine ensemble.
The show is funny. The one-liners zing through the script faster than on the best episodes of "MASH".
Guys, you would probably enjoy going to see your favorite team play more than to take in this show by yourselves, but if you want to take your girl, she will enjoy it and you will, too.
The theater had a relatively small crowd Saturday, but the show received a standing ovation. And many of those standing were men.
"Steel Magnolias" plays through Aug. 20. Call (317) 872-9664 or go online: http://www.beefandboards.com for more information.
frankphi@hotmail.com
My mother was a beautician, a fact that has made me avoid beauty shops whenever possible (even though many barbers have been replaced by hair stylists). She did not work full-time while I was growing up, but we occasionally visited her friend, Alta, who had a beauty shop in the basement of her home.
I did not like the smell, I did not like the noisy hair dryers, the hair rolled up in curlers or anything else associated with the beauty shop and that included the stories of near-death experiences in the magazines Alta kept on hand. The stories scared me to death!
Alta was an unhappy, hard-bitten woman who usually smelled of alcohol or some chemical used in her shop. Her husband had left her some years before I was born and I sympathized with him.
So, when Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre decided to do "Steel Magnolias," a show set in a small Mississippi beauty shop, I told my wife, "You'll have to do most of the review, I'm sure I won't like it."
I needn't have been too concerned. The audience was largely female at Beef & Boards, Indianapolis, Saturday night. But the story was written by a man, Robert Harling -- yes, I'm sure his testosterone levels were at the full mark. He wrote the show after his sister died from complications following childbirth and his sister's story is the thread that holds this comedy together.
It is set in a small Mississippi town in the 1980s. The cast is all women (with the exception of the radio announcer we hear between scenes). But with few changes, it could easily be adapted to a barber shop full of men.
In the first act, a new girl in town gets a job in the little beauty shop built in an enclosed carport. The beautician's husband enclosed the carport so she could support him, she says.
The new beautician, Annelle, changes during the show from an unsecure child who doesn't know if she is legally married or not to a Bible quotin' Born Again Baptist.
One of the customers is Shelby. It is Shelby's wedding day. Shelby is a strong, independent woman who chooses to ignore her doctor's advice against having children.
The last scene (SPOILER COMING!) shows how the women of the beauty shop deal with Shelby's death and the way they help Shelby's mother cope. (END OF SPOILER)
"Steel Magnolias" could just as easily be titled something more appropriate to a mixed or an all-male cast. It celebrates the strength and resilience of the human spirit.
I'm sure no one who has dealt with personal tragedy thinks in those terms, but it is the strength that is celebrated by Paul Harvey and the Biography Channel.
The words are right and that makes the show ring true.
The show reminds Linda of "Cheers" or "The Odd Couple" where people find strength through their friendships.
Sweet Shelby is played by Shelby Rose who has acted in New York theaters.
The cast includes Gene Raye Price, who will forever be recognized as Miss Kepler, the science teacher, on the Barney (the grinning purple dinosaur) show on TV. Also look for her in the upcoming TV mini-series, "Comanche Moon" in February. Lynne Perkins, Grace Sell and Deb Wims round out this fine ensemble.
The show is funny. The one-liners zing through the script faster than on the best episodes of "MASH".
Guys, you would probably enjoy going to see your favorite team play more than to take in this show by yourselves, but if you want to take your girl, she will enjoy it and you will, too.
The theater had a relatively small crowd Saturday, but the show received a standing ovation. And many of those standing were men.
"Steel Magnolias" plays through Aug. 20. Call (317) 872-9664 or go online: http://www.beefandboards.com for more information.
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