Algeria Here I Come
by: E Walk
(© 2008-2009 by the Author)
 

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

Chapter 39

She’s Dead Of Course

“Allie, I apologize.  But the five of you looked so funny that I had to share what happened.  How come you guys are eating in the suite anyway?”

Allie  sobbed, “We’re so embarrassed that we don’t to talk to anyone.  The reason we’re eating in the suite is so someone doesn’t try to make us sing anymore today before the show tonight.   We’re going to have to eat early tonight and will be eating dinner here as well because it is going to take us quite some time to get our costumes on for tonight.  Bra is the lucky one this time,  He only has to wear a skimpy swim suit that leaves nothing to the imagination.  In fact the cast is going to paint it on him.”

The five ten year olds were giggling.  Allie glared at me, “Don’t worry Mr. Waller, you need to watch your “p’s”  and “q’s” because we will get revenge when you least expect it.  Come on, guys, let’s go swimming.”

The guys changed into their swim suits and Michael and David were clearing the dishes when they were coming out of the bedroom. Allie  hugged them.  “Thanks for having the food here.  Here is what we would like to eat for dinner about six o’clock.  Please make sure that Josef and Carlos send us extra desserts tonight because we’ll probably be starved.  Dad and Bra, you'd better go to the dining room or you’ll be too late for lunch.”

Everyone else was eating when we arrived in the dining room.  Josef looked at me, “We’ve already been notified that extra desserts would be required for this evening.  In fact your lunches have been preordered for you.  Carlos is getting them now.”

Carlos came in with two plates with a half a piece of toast and two  glasses of water.  “This is what Doctor Allie ordered for you, since the two of you seem to be getting fat.  Allie said to tell you that this is just the beginning of the torture.”

Everyone else in our party was laughing.  Carlos took the toast away and put down a cup of soup in front of us, “Allie, ordered you two the special lunch of the day since you were so late.”

I looked around, “We’ve probably seen the last of the five guys until after the show tonight.  They have already ordered an early dinner which they are going to eat in the suite.”

Brahim didn’t want to go to the pool, so we were relaxing on the veranda and it seemed so funny not to have someone dropping in for a change.  I was beginning to get concerned that people knew something that Brahim and I didn’t.

It was just about four o’clock when I finished my book.  I looked, and Brahim looked so peaceful. I went to his lounge chair and kissed him.  He grabbed me and pulled me on top of him.  “Mr. Waller, you will need to pay for taking advantage of a poor sleeping little boy.”

I grabbed his pubic area, “Didn’t you mean to say, ‘sleeping handsome big boy?’”

Brahim hugged me, “Whatever you say, Mr. Waller, we’ll have to make you pay, after the show tonight.  I’m going to need all of the energy I can get for the show tonight.  Ed, I’ve been lying here wondering what is going to happen when we get to Houston.  There are so many unknowns.  What if you should decide that you no longer want Allie and me around?  What are we going to do?  What if you don’t have a job?  How are we going to live?”

As I was getting ready to respond, the veranda door opened. “Dad and Bra, can we talk?”

Allie plopped down on the lounge chair, “Dad, I was lying up by the pool and had a bad dream.  I dreamed that when we arrived in Houston, you didn’t have a job and threw Brahim and me out because you couldn’t afford to keep us.”

I stood up, “Guys, I have no intention of throwing you out.  If I were going to be fired, I think they would have already informed me that my services were no longer needed.  I would like very much to know what the company has in mind for me, but perhaps they aren’t even sure at this point in time.”

Our conversation was interrupted by the arrival of the other four young guys.  John started on Allie, “How come you left?”

Allie stood his grounds, “I had some things that I needed to talk to Dad and Brahim about.  We need to take our showers and get the chemicals off.  Our dinners will be arriving shortly.  Dad, is it okay if we use your shower to save time?”

I threw up my hands, “Why not?”

The guys were in the shower when Khalid, Amir, Grandpa Darryl and Uncle Tom come in.  They had just sat down when the guys came parading through in their natural state.  Allie was the last, “Shower is as good as new Dad.”

He looked at the guests, “What have you been doing?  This is the first I’ve seen you since the church service.”

Uncle Tommy chuckled, “We were watching Grandpa Darryl lose at the roulette table.  He was sure he was going to break the bank.  He got lucky on the first role and won a bundle.  It took him nearly three hours to lose his winnings.”

Allie looked at Darryl, “Grandpa Darryl, that’s so silly.  You should have taken your winnings and left.  Those places aren’t going to let you make money, unless you just walk away when you’re ahead.”

Uncle Tom nodded, “Allie, that’s what I keep trying to tell Darryl, but he won’t listen.  He can’t stand to have any money in his pocket.”

The door chimes rang and Allie disappeared into his bedroom.  The five guys each came out in a pair of shorts and a tee shirt.  Michael was bringing the table service for their meal.  He announced, “Your first course will be here shortly.”

The table looked elegant and Michael had even lit two votive candles.  David arrived with what looked to be pate de foie gras and crackers.  Kim asked, “What are we eating?”

Allie took a big bite, “It’s ground up goose livers.  It’s a real delicacy.  It’s sort of like caviar. This may be the only time in our lives that we get to have any,”

Michael came in carrying five bowls of vichyssoise soup which the guys were devouring when David arrived with five fruit salads and made sure the five guys had what they wanted to drink.  Michael returned with a tray with their entrees.  The five guys had each ordered something different but Michael got the orders right.  Allie looked up at me, “Dad, you should probably be going to the dining room, so you’re not late for the show.”

As we were getting ready to go to the dining room, I asked Michael, “Does everyone get this kind of service when they have room service?”

Michael laughed, “Not hardly, Mr. Waller.  The entire cruise staff has been directed to provide Allie with whatever he wants.  Today is the first time that he has really asked for anything special.  It is our pleasure to serve him.”

When we arrived in the eating area, everyone else was already present.  I was surprised that even Mrs. Dawkins was there.  She looked at me, “I was informed that my presence wasn’t required until the end of show.  Allie said that if I were there he would probably screw up.”

Dinner was fun, except that Brahim just picked at his food.  He finally excused himself and went to the theatre.  Cal Yates asked, “Ed, what are the guys going to be doing tonight?”

I shook my head, “Cal, you know as much as I do.  I guess the five young guys are going to do something from the Wizard of Oz as they announced last night and Brahim is going to be singing about women.  The guys have told us nothing.  Allie has been chewing me out for telling about what happened last night and this morning with the paints.  Not only that, but the two guys are apprehensive about what is going to happen when we get back to Houston.”

The public address system interrupted our conversations, “Good evening ladies and gentlemen, this is Alan.  As most of you are aware, this evening’s entertainment is the talented Safi brothers and their friends.  While I have not seen what they are going to be doing, the cast members are very excited.  We will be docking at Hamilton, Bermuda at 9:00 o’clock in the morning for two glorious days on the pink beaches of Bermuda.”

When the dinner group arrived in the theatre, it was only the guys from the cast greeting the patrons.  Lars directed us to our reserved seats.  I looked around and it appeared as if all of the seats were taken in the balcony and main level.” 

At eight o’clock, the orchestra started to play the funeral march and Allie was crawling onto the stage, “Ladies and gentlemen. I regret to inform you that the show for tonight has been cancelled because we have contacted orange fever.  We have been exposed to the yellow fever and scarlet fever.”

A voice came on the p.a. system.  “Too bad, Allie, you have to suffer tonight.  Now get ready, these people paid to see a show tonight.”

Allie was standing, “Wait a minute, if they paid to see the show, how come we ain’t getting paid for singing our hearts out?”

“Because the Captain said so.”

Allie stood and sighed, “See, how they treat us poor little kids on this ship.  Me and my friends are going to be taking you to see the Wizard of Oz.  We’ll understand if you decide to leave while we’re making fools of ourselves.”

Allie disappeared. Mrs. Dawkins leaned over to me.  “That’s not what we rehearsed.”

The music started and the spotlight was shining on Allie sitting there in a farm boys outfit with a stuffed dog in a basket.   “Oh, Toto, it’s so boring here in Kansas; there’s nothing to do.  What would it be like if we could go somewhere special?”

Allie started to sing ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow.’  As he was ending, the sound of thunder and flashes of light could be seen.

The lights went up and the other four guys were there acting as if they were munchkins from the movie.  Liv was dressed as the Good Witch Glenda.

The performance continued, with James being the Straw man, John was the Tin man, Tran was the Cowardly Lion and Kim was the Wizard of Oz.  As their performance ended, Allie ended up back in Kansas and he was wearing red sneakers, and Aunty Em wanted to know where he got them.

Allie looked at Auntie Em (Liv), “They belonged to the Wicked Witch of the West.”

Auntie Em and looked at Allie, “You’ve been drinking too many cokes.”

The curtain came down and the audience was standing and applauding.  Allie came from the side of the stage, “Ladies and gentlemen, we thank you for your applause.  We ran a little overtime, but I know you won’t fall asleep because here is my big brother to tell you about the women in his life. All I can say is, he has been one busy critter.”

Brahim came out wearing an ascot and a blazer and started to sing ‘Hello Dolly’ and one of the ladies from the cast appeared in appropriate attire. 

Every time, Brahim changed songs, a lady would appear in a different outfit.  As Brahim’s portion was drawing to a close, Allie appeared with a tandem bike and gave it to Brahim as Liv came strolling in from the other direction.  Brahim started to sing,

          “Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer do.

          I’m half crazy all for the love of you.

          It won’t be a stylish marriage.

          I can’t afford a carriage.

          But you’ll look sweet,

          upon the seat,

          on my bicycle built for two.”

Liv answered by singing,

          Brahim, Brahim, this is my answer true:

          I’m not crazy over the likes of you.

          If you can’t afford a carriage,

          Forget about the marriage.

          I won’t be jammed,

          I won’t be crammed,

          On a bicycle built for two.

Brahim pulled a handkerchief out of the pocket of his blazer and put it to his eyes and left the stage as if he was trying not to cry.  Allie came running onto the stage, “Ladies and gentlemen, Brahim is trying to compose himself.  I’ll entertain you until he gets back.  I have a song about a girl, that Brahim didn’t sing for you.  Allie started to sing, ‘I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly’ . By the time he had gone through the  lady swallowing the spider, bird, cat, dog, goat, and cow the audience was almost in hysterics.  That was nothing compared to what happened when he sang the last verse. 

He started to sing, “I know an old lady who swallowed a horse.  She’s dead of course.”  He fell to the floor and orchestra started to play a funeral march and the other four boys appeared dressed in black robes carrying a stretcher.  They placed Allie on the stretcher and left the stage chanting, “Poor Allie, Poor Allie.”

Brahim reappeared laughing, “Ladies and gentlemen, I had no idea this was going to happen.  We want to thank you for coming tonight and hope you enjoyed our show.  We want to thank the permanent cast, the support and technical crews.  They have been so supportive.  The orchestra has been wonderful and very flexible.  Mrs. Dawkins, please stand.  We want to thank you for coming up with the ideas for tonight’s show.  Ladies and gentlemen, we have one last song for you, but first Allie wants to introduce his friends to those of you who haven’t met them.”

Allie quickly introduced the four guys and when the audience finally stopped applauding, the six guys started to sing, ‘When You Wish Upon a Star’.

The curtain was lowered and the audience was standing and applauding.  Captain Brower and Alan appeared from the side of the stage as the curtain went up and the six guys bowed one more time..

Captain Brower was laughing. “Ladies and gentlemen, weren’t these young people wonderful again?”

When the audience settled down, Captain Brower turned to Allie, “Allie, we’re having a very difficult time finding a nude beach that is open to the public in Bermuda.”

Allie stepped forward. He still had his head microphone on, “That’s probably just as well, Captain Brower.  I decided that if the ladies on the ship heard that I was going to a nude beach, they would all be following me.  The husbands would break me into pieces when we returned to the ship.”

That caused the audience to laugh.

Allie continued, “Captain, we need to go.  It’s been a long time since we have had anything to eat.  See you all tomorrow.”

When I got to the suite, the five young guys were sitting at the table, eating, and Brahim was sitting on the veranda by himself, which I thought was odd.  I looked at Allie, “Is Brahim okay?”

Allie shrugged his shoulders, “Dad, I think so.  He has been rather quiet, though.”

I went to the veranda, “Brahim, is something bothering you?”

“Ed, when I was singing the Daisy song tonight, it suddenly dawned on me, that I can not even afford to buy a bicycle.  If something should happen and you decided that you didn’t want Allie and me around anymore, what would happen to us?”

“Brahim, we need to think positive thoughts and not assume that the worst is going to happen. Do you want to join the others in the Starlight Lounge?”

“Ed, I would rather just stay here and be with you.  I really don’t feel as if I want to talk to anyone else tonight.  It’s mentally tiring to perform as we did tonight.”

The veranda door opened, “Dad and Brahim, me and the guys are exhausted.  We’re going to bed, would you please come say goodnight to us?”

To be continued...

Editor's Notes:  I would like to point out something.  I agree with Uncle Tom that continuing to gamble after you actually win something is a very foolish thing to do.  The odds are always on the side of the house.  I suggest that if you are going to gamble, first allocate a certain amount of money that you are prepared to lose, and whatever you win or lose, don't go beyond that amount. Put what you have won, that amounts to more than your allotted gambling funds, somewhere else, and don't spend any of it.  Continue putting anything above that amount away, and only use the allotted amount, and when you lose all of the allotted amount, stop. That way, the money you lose is no more of a loss than what you would be willing to spend on a night of entertainment. 

This was a very nice chapter.  I have always loved The Wizard Of Oz.

I always thought it was a brilliant idea to have all the action that took place in Kansas be filmed in black and white, and when Dorothy gets to Oz, everything turns out to be in colour.  Colour was a rather new phenomenon at that time, so to a lot of people it was quite a surprise.

The first time that the film was shown on television,  The stations actually had to momentarily go off the air, to change from the black and white transmission to color. In those days, there was a small difference in the kind of signal that stations sent out when they were transmitting in colour than what they did in black and white.  Now, of course, all that is a moot point, since everything is digital in the U.S.

Don't worry, I'm not going to go into detail as to what the difference was or why they there was one, but the F.C.C. Had a rule that said that if they were transmitting in black and white they had to turn off the colour carrier, the same thing was true for many years in terms of FM stereo broadcasts.  If a station was broadcasting a mono program, they had to turn off the stereo carrier.  

I think it is interesting to notice that in the book, Dorothy was not dreaming; all of her adventures actually happened to her. I was told, that way back in the olden times, when movies were made, they had to provide some kind of moral and teach you a lesson.  I don't know if that is true, but I was told that was the reason that the movie changed the ending.  Also, there were several sequels to the book.  I do recommend reading the books.  They are a lot of fun.

I am ready for another chapter.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 08/07/09