Characters:
A twenty-something brunette, light on her feet
A handsome, tux-clad gent who loves to act
Two middle-aged bottle blonds in high heels sipping fruity drinks
Two non-descript guys dressed in engaging attire
Mom, simultaneously observant and oblivious
Setting:
Historic Gothic Revival landmark house with multiple period rooms open for public events; a gravel walkway connecting an adjacent brownstone
Accompaniments:
Punch spiked to set the evening in motion
Catered menu of Chicken Francaise, mesclun greens, and fancy desserts
"Okay, folks, who here likes to dance?"
Her hand shot up before realizing her folly. Reaching between the mousy blond and tawny brunette with caramel highlights, she accepted the packet. So, Ruby was a dancer. At twenty, Ruby Rosedale left Coalville for the bright lights of Broadway to grab a well-paying hostess gig at Club Gamma. She was invited to this party by her good friend Tess, also a dancer, to meet her new boyfriend, Lonesome. Ruby’s boss, Trevor, is smitten with her, of course, and a big fan of Lonesome, a famous Western actor. They should be introduced tonight because Trevor loves westerns. What kind of name is Lonesome?
He entered the dining room in a raucous tantrum, wielding a silver flask. She couldn’t understand everything he said but joined the crowd, seeking the commotion. As she squeezed her way to the perimeter of the scene, Lonesome was poking a gun at him, upspeaking in a thick drawl, “I know what y’all were doin'!”
Dapper in a well-tailored tux, this Beau Tucker was easy on the eyes. Beau took a swig, wiped his lips with his thumb, and waved the pistol away like he was swiping a fly. These boys were about as animated as two rappers in slow motion.
Someone tugged her elbow, and before she could slurp her punch, Ruby hurried away to the back parlor along with Tess and Betty. Reece appeared to turn on the gramophone, set his bowler hat aside, and took a spot in front of them. Stepping forward with his left foot, he looked back at the girls to follow suit. With suave skill, he continued his right foot forward, tapping it in front, then stepped backward with the right foot, stepped backward with the left, and tapped it behind the right, arms swinging side to side. He added a twist, knees moving together and apart, and in five minutes, Reece said they were ready to perform the Charleston for everyone.
She gulped the rest of her punch and slid the lipstick-kissed glass on the hall table. “I have no idea what the hell to do!” Betty growled behind her.
As they entered the front parlor, Tess coaxed Ruby, “Hey, go ahead, you get up there!”
Where was this music coming from? She quickly shuffled to the front and started swinging her legs with big arms in a controlled frenzy, keeping with the tune's rhythm. Tess and Betty were at her heels like two cats on hot bricks. Lonesome was laughing. Beau looked bewitched.
“So, where are you from, Ru-by?” With a slightly cocked head, Beau’s measured tone was casual, his curious eyes scanning.
“Um, Coalville originally, but I, uh, work in New York now. So, you’re a silent movie actor? Uh, have I ever seen you before, I mean, on the big screen? Like, name a movie.” She was sweating profusely but had to admit this was much more fun than speed dating.
Before he could answer, CRACK, CRACK, popped from another room. Guests started to shriek. Beau touched her arm and mouthed, “I’ll be back.” Was that supposed to be the dinner bell? No, there was a murder—perfect timing, just before the food was served.
Unfortunately, Beau did not return, and all the ushering around was getting on her nerves now. To navigate the herd, guests were summoned to fetch their name cards from the hall and then follow en masse to the adjacent residence, where a conference area was set up with long tables for dinner. Why couldn’t they eat in the dining room here? Ruby’s heels kept catching in the gravel on the walk over.
“Did you see anything?” This was the first time she clued in and compared notes with her mom. They had to leave each other at the entrance when they arrived earlier that night.
“I just heard this big bang, and did you see that guy push me?” Mom inquired. “So, who got knocked off? I hope it was that annoying cowboy!” she added. They both laughed as the door to the hall opened.
She pierced the chicken, thrilled at how easily the flesh surrendered under the plastic knife. It made her forget the rip in her stocking quickly creeping up her leg. While she prattled and probed guests at the table, an occasional wayward scan stalked Beau’s progress as he worked the room. Her ear helix flushed every time their glances met.
Ruby questioned Lonesome with feigned earnestness. “So, was it Lonesome, with the gun, in the library?” The puny silver-streaked couple to her left were the only ones who chuckled over their coffee.
“Well, darlin’, we’re gonna find out soon.” Cowboy-stanced at the end of the table with the Stetson covering his brow, Lonesome waited for everyone to finish scribbling guesses on their sheets. The notes were passed down to him in kindergarten style.
Well, she didn’t win the commemorative mug, and Ruby never met up with Trevor that night. She had no idea if Trevor met Lonesome. Maybe he did or hooked up with Tess or left early to get back to the speak-easy. Regardless, she had an excellent night. It was the best forty-five bucks she spent in a while.
She left the scene, walking to her car with Mom at her side, gravel grinding under their heels.
"Did you see that Beau fella in the dining room? What a showman! Not a bad looker, huh?"
"Oh, my God, Ma, he's probably married with three kids! But, yeah, my type for sure." The dark parking lot cloaked a smitten smile.
Unbeknownst to her, Beau scored Ruby's address that night from the guest book in the foyer. But to seal a deal written in the stars, fate orchestrated another meeting six months later - same place and time, only a different script and style.
Yes, I met my husband with an option for unlimited time travel that night. We married two years later in May. After twenty-seven anniversaries, we still improvise, writing our script one day at a time.