Another Weissman

Chapter Fourteen

I'm downstairs in our record store once again, going through some new recordings when I hear the door jangle open and Joel's voice echo throughout the upstairs. And was that Archie? Wonder how he got Imogene to let him go out. Not two minutes later I hear footsteps echoing down to the basement and soon see the two men who'd just arrived.

"Oh, Ana! I didn't know you would be here. They're letting you touch the records?" Joel asks at the sight of me hunched over our work table.

"Shhh!" I scold, and soon the record ends. "Okay, now you may speak."

"What're you doing here?"

"I basically co-own this place, don't you know? Hey Arch," I smirk at Joel before we hear it. Midge's voice coming from up the stairs, performing the act she did the very first night she walked on that stage in the Gaslight. Slowly, we walked ourselves up the stairs to hear Midge at the part about the French whore. Comedic genius.

I stand back, hesitating in fear of Joel's reaction, with Archie right behind me. I glare at Virgil once Joel storms out with a look that makes him cower in fear.

"What. The. FUCK. Virgil, where did you get that recording?" I roar in anger.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, do you know her?" he asks, obviously confused at my outburst.

"You could say that. Clean up downstairs when you get the chance," I mutter and storm out as well. Once I'm out the door, I see Joel already walking down the street and Archie following behind like a lost puppy. I heave out a heavy sigh and watch them leave.

Later that day, Susie calls me up and tells me she has a plan for how to get us back in the business without technically giving Midge a slot. "Meet me at the Gaiety, we're gonna get ourselves out of this mess," were her exact words.

I sigh for the millionth time since this whole mess started, and prepare myself both physically and mentally for whatever Susie has planned.

I spot Susie waiting for me maybe a block away. "Hey Suse! What's the big plan, and why are we so far away?"

"Ana, I promise you this will work. That said please, Lord, please don't hate me." We round a street corner and I'm still looking down at Susie.

"Why would I-" I look up at the flashing lights of the Gaiety only to see the words 'Tonight, Lenny Bruce Plus Arlo & Parker' in bold letters across the front. "Susie, you aren't going to-"

"Ask him to perform at the Gaslight? Maybe," she flinches away slightly as I whirl on her.

"And you thought you should just bring me along for what? We can't ask this big a favor from him, you know show business!"

"You're our liaison, I had to bring you along, you have to do these things if you want to call yourself a manager. And yes, I do know show business, and so do you! This is our best shot at getting back on the horse, Ana."

I huff, knowing she's right but not liking it. It's been a bit since I last ran into Lenny and I've been very grateful for that. I'm constantly worried I'll get flustered around him, which is strange because not once in my life had I been that way over anyone in general but all of a sudden Mr. Bruce comes along and I'm a schoolgirl!

I'm turned around facing Susie backstage when I hear a voice from behind me. "Oh, you gotta be kidding me. Jesus Christ!" He directs to Susie in his thick New York accent.

"Hey Lenny," Susie bounces nervously and I sigh.

"It's you?" He asks, sounding rather peaved. I finally turn around and offer a small smile.