Another Weissman

Chapter Twenty One

I awoke the next morning, next to the best man I've ever known, to the worst announcement I've ever heard.

"Attention, Steinerites. Moishe and Shirley Maisel have arrived. I repeat, they have arrived."

Despite being pulled so suddenly from my slumber, I burst out laughing at the announcement. The man next to me rolled over, throwing his arm over my waist in an attempt to cuddle. I wrapped my arm around his head, bringing it to my chest as I played with his hair ever so slightly.

"Morning, princess," I joked at him. "The in-laws are here." He laughed at the sigh I let out, making me pinch him lightly.

"You know they're not your in-laws right? Just your sister's?"

"God, I wish that were true. With how involved they try to get in our lives, it's as if they're my own parents. And Moishe is the worst for it." After a few more moments laying in bed, I nudged the oaf off of me.

"Come on, you big lug. I've gotta make a call."

"To whom?" he questioned, eyes narrowing. "Wouldn't happen to be..."

I knew exactly where he was going with the question and shoved him lightly as I sat up. "Nope, not this time. Business call."

He motioned for me to use the phone in his room, should I like. And I took him up on that offer. After dialing, and waiting a moment, a man picked up and I launched into my pitch.

"Hi, to whom am I speaking?" I asked the man, professionally as ever.

"This is Walt, who is this?"

"Hello, Walt. My name is Analiese Weissman, agency liaison and co-manager with Susie Myerson. I'd like to make you an offer you'd be remiss to refuse."

"Start talking."

"We've got a gal, a comedienne. Name's Mrs. Maisel." I saw Ben's eyes widen, but I chose to ignore it. "She's the best of the best. Opened for Lenny Bruce not too long ago, and has been making her way through Manhattan. We want to expand our reach, and you could help do that. You and the Concord could help launch this talent into stardom, and be remembered as the venue that took a chance on this young lady. You could get in on the Mrs. Maisel brand, right here and now. She's free through August, due to an unexpected family trip, but we need to keep the ball rolling. So what do you say?"

"Concord's booked."

"Concord or nothing. You want an audience to be hooked on every word? Mrs. Maisel is your gal. You want people to come back to you, asking 'when that funny broad will be back'? Coming there every night, hoping she'll return? She's damn good for business, Mel."

The line is silent for a moment, he's thinking it over. "Alright, we'll give her a slot. I better not regret this."

"You're an angel, Walt. Name the time." And he did.

I got off the phone with the man, before dialing the main building here and asking the operator to leave a message for Susie, telling her to find me so we could talk.

When I finally looked up, Ben was staring at me. "What?"

"I've never seen you like that before. I'm impressed." I snorted at the man, throwing a pillow at his face as I got up to get ready.

"I'm stealing your clothes," I helpfully informed him. And I did.

Once dressed, I asked him to meet me in the main hall later. I had agreed to a game of Simon Says with Midge. I must've been drunk.