Parallel Me

Parallel Me Part 28

I was just on my way back to the billet from breakfast, and I saw John coming up from the car pack. It was ten-thirty; he wasn't due here until twelve.

"Mario has just rung me, he said to get you down to the Knight Club casino, the owner had rung him, wants to know who the new singer is. One of his staff was having dinner at Little Italy last night told him Mario has a new good entertainer. Mario told him you were just an old friend, and just did the one night," John said as we went to his car, and headed for the city. I had no idea of where we were going, but it seemed John did. "Tried to get a job there myself in the resident band, but they didn't have an opening for piano." John was a damn good piano player and had proved he could play anything I sang, he had played some high-class music, at some of the gigs we did. So what I did next wasn't just fired with gratitude, it was a business offer, that I thought would benefit both of us because we did gel together in the past.

"John it's midday on a Saturday, so the band wouldn't normally be there, I'm taking it that Mario has suggested, I go there for an audition if that is the case you're coming in as my regular piano player." John looked at me a little shocked and took a little time to answer.

"You can't do that Joe, they've got a big band their want you to the front, they won't want to pay a spear piano player, no we'll see what they want and go from there." Well, I would play it his way, but if there's any chance I'd get him in with me. The ground floor was full of slot machines and wheels of fortune, in a large open entry foray. There were card and roulette tables further at the back, though not all had dealers at them. We were taken up to the first floor, where there were cocktail and coffee bars, and more slots among the comfortable chairs and tables. There were quite a few people sitting in a large area at the top of the stairs, beyond it was the entrance to the nightclub itself. The man we had come to see, was drinking coffee at one of the tables near the stairs. He was Greek and I wouldn't try to pronouns his name when I was introduced to him.

"Mario said you are between contracts at the moment and are here taking in the sights until you decide where, and what you want to do next Mr Lacey. My man here said he heard you singing, at Mario's restaurant last night, he suggests you might be able to help us out. We are short of a two-hour act, for Saturday nights due to an unforeseen problem. Would you consider stepping into that slot, I haven't heard you but I trust my man here." I hadn't sat and waved away the waiter, who had come asking what I wanted to drink.

"It is short notice, and I haven't got a nightclub act as such, it's normally concerts and dances we do," I said looking at John, and he stepped right in with ideas.

"You've cracked joke and engaged the audience, in light-hearted banter, and you could dance with some ladies like you did in Singapore. Look, Joe, there's a baby grand on that stage, and there are people to entertain." I looked at our Greek friend, and he just nodded so John went to the piano.

"Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen, would we disturb you if we tinkered with this piano?" I asked the grope, sitting by the stage.

"Not at all," came their reply as John lifted the keyboard lid, and he played the intro to the legend of the glass mountain.

"Well it's in tune, what do you want to do?" he asked looking at the Greek, who was sitting up looking at us.

"I think we have his attention, Joe," John said quietly, waiting for me to decide what tune to play.

"Ladies has anyone a favourite song, they'd like to hear us play?" I asked the group, nearest to us.

"That old black magic," one nice little old lady said, and John started playing it. She was overjoyed as I sang it just to her, and we kept her happy with Night and Day. Then we did Besame Mucho and two more Dean Martin songs. The Greek looked pleased, and his sidekick came over.