The Doctor Gets a Visitor V
by: E Walk

(© 2007 by the Author)
Editor Radio Rancher

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


Chapter 34

D. C. Here We Come

On Saturday everyone was up at 6:00.  After breakfast, everyone started to arrive at Mrs. Tillison’s house where there were two big buses waiting.  Beau, Jeff and the other high school guys were loading the luggage on the buses.  Beau and Jeff made sure that the older ladies got on first with Aunt Cora being first followed by Mrs. T., Mrs. Wanamaker and Mrs. Gleason.

The rest of us boarded the buses and I suddenly realized that I was the only older male going.  I turned to Jeff and Beau and asked, “Why am I the only older male going?”

Beau said, “Because we knew we couldn’t trust you at home by yourself.  We needed a quack doctor and besides everyone says you are working too hard.  Now sit back and get your beauty sleep.  You need all the help you can get.”

We arrived at the General Aviation Terminal in Omaha where our plane was waiting for us.  The guys made short work of unloading the buses and helping the crew to put the bags on the plane.

There were plenty of seats and it was interesting to see how people were sitting.  Jeff sat beside me and Beau and Rebecca were at the very back.  Both Beau and Jeff were reading travel guides of D. C.   They read the entire flight.

We landed at Reagan Airport and were met by two Air Force Buses.  The guys had everyone settled as quickly as possible.  There were two young Air Force personnel waiting to be our escorts.  They had three stripes on their arms.  “We are your escorts while you are here in Washington, D. C.”

the young African American said. “We ask that you tell us where you want to go and we’ll do our best to get you there.  My partner is Sgt. Alvarez and I am Sgt. Pederson.”

Beau said, “That’s nice, but what are your first names?  How can you lose those uniforms?  We aren’t military and your stripes and ranks mean nothing to us.  If you are to be our guides, then you have to act as nutty as the rest of us.”

The young man looked at Beau and said, “My name is Dominick her name is Elizabeth.” 

“Great, for the rest of the time you are with us, you are Dom and Liz.”  Beau said.  “That will make it so much easier for us to remember.”

The buses stopped at the Andrews AFB Officer’s Club and we were ushered to a private room where there was a lunch buffet set up.  We were just about to start through the line when a helicopter set down.  Four people stepped out and they came through a side door.

One of the two security guards announced, “The President of the United States.”

Beau and Jeff went up to the President and shook his hand.  Jeff asked, “Are your wife and children joining us?”

“Yep, they are on their way.  They will be arriving by limousine and S.Z.Q. Gordon is with them.  Senator and Mrs. Gordon send their regrets, but said they would see you later.”  The President answered.

“Cool.”  Beau said, as he went outside to escort the new people in.

When everyone was in place, Beau escorted Aunt Cora, and Becca helped her Grandmother through the line and then let everyone more or less take care of themselves.  Beau, Rebecca, Berto and S.Z.Q. and the President’s two children went last with the two sergeants.  The two sergeants sat with Dylan and Carole Anne, Mitchell and Barbee, and Grant and Bethanne.

“Mr. President, tell the two young Sergeants to go get into some jeans and a nice shirt, so they look like the rest of us.  We’re going to take your twins and make them look like they are part of us.  Thanks for lunch.  We’ll let you know where we are going.  If you insist on having Secret Service Agents with us, they have to shed the suits.”

“They would look out of place and call attention to our group.  We’ll bring the twins home when we are ready.  Come on Jen, Steve and S.Z.Q., we’ll have you looking like the rest of us in no time.”

To say that everyone was stunned that Beau had the audacity to talk like that to the President of the United States would be any understatement.  President Turner and his children just shrugged their shoulders.

The President left by helicopter and his wife left by the limousine.  We were dropped off at our quarters.  The four older ladies had VIP suites in the BOQ.  The guys had an entire barracks for just us.  The young ladies had the first floor of the adjacent barracks.  Jeff and I were assigned to the Drill Sergeant’s Suite in the barracks.

The bags were retrieved from the buses and the transformation was completed and Steve, Jen and S.Z.Q. did indeed look like they belonged.  Dom Pederson and Liz Alvarez arrived back looking like they fit into the gang.

The four ladies decided to stay and rest for the afternoon.  The rest of us were going to take a driving tour of city.  The two young Air Force people did a great job pointing out the sights. 

We went back to the base and everyone changed into casual clothes.  The President and his wife had sent clothes for their children as did the Gordons for S.Z.Q.  Beau had made reservations at a fancy seafood buffet where we met Senator and Mrs. Gordon.  The Gordons were captivated by Clay and he them. He sat between them during the meal and they visited.  Carole Anne and Dylan were sort of forgotten fixtures.

Beau made sure he paid for everyone’s meal and left the gratuity and everyone got up to leave.  Clay came over to Beau and said, “Daddy Beau, we are going to go with Grandpa and Grandma Gordon.  We are going to spend the night at their house.  We will meet you at the place where we are singing in the morning.”

“Okay, but don’t be late.  What about clean clothes?’” Beau asked.

“Daddy and Mommy said they would get what we need.  I really like Grandpa and Grandma Gordon.”  Clay said as he left.

After dinner we drove around so everyone could see the monuments all lit up at night.  When we got back to Andrews, the guys got the older ladies settled.  Steve was amazed that no one was ashamed of their bodies.  The guys who had showered were sitting around watching television in just their briefs as usual. 

The guys drifted to bed.  Poor Steve had no idea that someone would be joining him in the middle of the night when Roddy crawled in with him.

Beau was awake at 6:00 and dressed in running clothes.  He was joined by Denny, Jeff and Tommy.  They ran around the track that was near the barracks.  They came in and soon had everyone out of bed.  We collected everyone and were escorted by the two Sergeants to the chow hall.  We could have as much as we wanted at no cost.

After breakfast, we went to the Kennedy Center for rehearsal.  The President’s Son and Daughter were sitting watching the rehearsal with the older ladies and me as well as the two Sergeants.  Beau and Jeff had decided they would be putting the Turner Twins at risk if they asked them to join.  Steve and Jen were fine with that.  They were enjoying themselves.

Rehearsal went well.  The orchestra was overwhelmed.  Beau turned to them and said, “Ladies and gentleman, we don’t have a clue what is going to happen next.  It will probably be different tomorrow night.”

After rehearsal we boarded the buses and went to the Lincoln memorial and then Beau took everyone to a restaurant where we had lunch.  Beau paid the tab.  No one even protested.  Rebecca had pre-warned everyone about interfering.

In the afternoon, we went to the Washington and Jefferson memorials.  Jeff and Beau regaled everyone with stories connected to the monuments and there was a large crowd listening to what they were saying.  The last stop of the afternoon was the Vietnam Memorial.  Beau had enough foresight to have wheelchairs loaded on the buses so that the people who needed them could use them. 

We went back to the base and got dressed in our jackets and went to the Officer’s Club for dinner.  Everyone ordered a la carte.  The two Sergeants were a little intimidated at first, but they soon fit right in.  Beau again took care of the checks and the gratuities.  The young people walked the ladies to their VIP Quarters and the rest of us loaded on the buses so everyone could see the lights of Washington, D. C.

On Monday morning, July 3, Beau, Spencer, Steve and Denny had visitors in their beds.  Beau woke up first and got several of the others to join him in the run, around the track. 

After breakfast at the chow hall, everyone boarded the buses and went to the Smithsonian where we spent three hours.  Thank goodness for the wheel chairs that Beau and Jeff had arranged for.  People took turns pushing the people who needed help.

After lunch we went to the Library of Congress.  Beau and Jeff were in their glory.  When we left, Beau took everyone to a fancy ice cream place for a snack.

We went back to the base so that everyone who wanted to rest could do so.  Beau and the two Sergeants took those who wanted to swim to the pool at the Officers Club.

After an hour of swimming, we went back to the barracks and got dressed for an early dinner before going to the Kennedy Center.  The people who were performing went to get ready.  The rest of us went to our reserved seats.  The President’s Son and Daughter were seated next to me and the two Sergeants who had dressed appropriately looked so different.  They were radiating with pride.

Steve looked at me, “Doctor Wilson, would you please tell our parents that we want to go back to Fremont with you and the others and be normal teenagers for a while.   We think your young people are the greatest.  They could care less that the President is our father.  They don’t take any guff from anyone.”

“Steve and Jennifer, I’ll talk to your parents.  We would love to have you as our guests.  I’m sure that Beau and Rebecca would keep you busy.  They’ll probably have you working and you better be qualified to be a lifeguard and a babysitter.”

The seats began to fill up.  I noticed that there were two seats beside us that hadn’t been occupied.  The Gordons were sitting on the other side of the aisle.  All of a sudden the President and his wife appeared and sat beside us.

The curtain went up and Beau was standing there in his western gear.  “Ladies and gentlemen please rise as Miss Dina Lincoln sings the national anthem.”  Beau took off his hat and Dina and the orchestra did an outstanding job.

When everyone had settled, Beau went into his terrorizing mode.  He terrorized the President and Senator Gordon and had the audience laughing.  He pulled out a whistle and said, “I hope you strapped your clothes on really tight because we are about to take them off one piece at a time tonight.”

“We have some dynamite performers.  So let’s start the show with our four youngest people.  You are going to want to take these four guys home.”

Chip led the five year olds out and they sang Yankee Doodle Dandy.  They couldn’t have been better.  The audience gave them a standing ovation. 

Beau came out and said, “Ladies and gentleman, don’t say I didn’t warn you.  We are about to make our first deviation from the schedule tonight.  We are fortunate to have in the audience a person who was here in the nation’s capitol to hear Dr. Martin Luther King make his I Have a Dream Speech. Aunt Cora, would you please wave your hand?”

Aunt Cora waved her hand and everyone applauded.  Beau took over, “To remember that special occasion Jeff Wilson our leader is going to sing The Impossible Dream.  He just doesn’t know it yet.  Here is Jeff Wilson.”

After Jeff sang, there was another standing ovation.  Beau came out and said, “I told you, you'd better hold onto your clothes.  We are going to switch gears again and we are now gong to bring out our fabulous high school students to entertain you.  I don’t have time introduce them individually.  Sit back and get ready to join them.”

The high school did their thing and performed When the Saints Go Marching in and several other jazz numbers.

Beau came out after the audience settled down and said, “I really need to go to the bathroom.  So I am turning the emcee job over to Spencer Knight.”

Spencer came bounding out.  “Don’t believe a word Beau says.  He’s plotting another scheme to ambush some more people.  Now here are Jeff Wilson, Denny Johnson and Kenny Hendrix.  They are going to be playing their guitars and playing Dueling Guitars.”

Again the applause was spontaneous.   Spencer waited for the applause and the audience to settle.  “Now here is Beau Benson singing a song that he won a talent show hands down at the Nude Dude Ranch, 'I Believe'.”

When Beau finished, the audience stood and applauded.  Spencer said, “We’re going to take a 15 minute break now so that we can all change clothes.  Be back on time.  We wait for no one even you Mr. President.”

After the intermission, Beau came out and said, “We’re going to start off this section with a medley from The Sound of Music performed by the entire ensemble.  You will see that they are all equally talented and that they have the right blend.”

After the medley all of the stars had a chance to perform.  Everyone did an outstanding job.  Beau took the microphone and said, “Now, I am about to blindside our leader and his father.  The Wilsons will be performing Rhapsody in Blue on the piano.”

After Jeff and I had received a standing ovation, Spencer came out and took the microphone.  “Beau, we are tired but before we leave, we want to hear you and Rebecca arguing and singing a medley of tunes from the 50’s.”

Everyone was caught off guard, but Beau and Rebecca came out and Jeff sat the piano and tried to follow where they might be going.  The two singers had the audience laughing and when they finished with Que Sera Sera.  The entire audience stood.

Beau took the microphone and said, “The President is standing over there making all sorts of motions.  I think he would like to say something.”

The President walked out on the stage.  “Ladies and gentlemen, you have just seen an amazing display of talent from one small city in Nebraska.  Weren’t they wonderful?  I knew they were good when I saw them on the PBS Broadcasting System.  I am going to turn the microphone over to Mr. Spencer Knight.  He has something important to say.”

Spencer took the microphone and said, “Thank you Mr. President.  I just want to tell everyone that I am appalled by the number of homeless and needy in this, our nation’s capitol.  Our people will be standing at the doors with our hats and baskets taking whatever monetary donations you feel you can give.”

The President put a check into Spencer’s hat.  Spencer picked it up and asked, “Mr. President is this really a one followed with five zeroes?”

“Yes Spencer, I agree that we need to do as much as we can for the homeless and needy.  Many of them didn’t ask to be where they are.  We can’t help everyone, but maybe we can help to make some of them productive human beings again.”

Beau grabbed the microphone, “Enough politicking you two.  While our people are making their way to the exits, we ask that everyone stand and sing the final number with us.”

Jeff, Beau, Dina, Drew, Tommy Spencer, Chip, and Rebecca came out.  Beau said “Please stand and hold hands with the persons' beside you and sing with us.”

The orchestra played God Bless America as the young people on the stage held hands with the President in the middle.  The other young people were manning the door.  When everyone left, the group from Fremont had raised over $100,000.00.

We all climbed on the buses and Beau had us stop at a Pizza Shop.  Everyone gorged themselves and everyone was ready to fall in bed.

On the fourth, Beau, Steve, Berto and Jeff went running.  When they came back to the barracks, they were approached by two gentlemen.

“We’re the producers of the Fourth on the Capitol show.  We want to have some of your people perform.”

Beau said, “We already have plans for this evening.  We’re having a barbeque at the White House.”

“We already know that.  We have talked to the President’s Staff and they have arranged an early meal and then you can have dessert while you are watching the fireworks from the White House lawn.”

Jeff asked, “Which of us do you want to participate?”

“We want you, Dina, Drew, the four five year olds, Tommy and then of course we want Spencer and Beau to be the emcees.  We expect Beau to sing.  We really would like to use all of your people, but we have already contracted with some celebrity performers.”

Beau said, “I can’t do this.  I’m afraid of people.  I’m too bashful.”

Steve and Berto started to laugh, “Yeh, you made fun of all of the dignitaries last night.  You were better than any other emcee we’ve seen.  You had everyone eating out of your hand.”

“You two are so going to sleep in the bathroom tonight.” Beau laughed.

“Mr. Wilson, here is a copy of the program that we pulled together on short notice.  We really would rather have had all of your people but it wasn’t possible on such short notice.”

Jeff said, “Sirs, we’ll try to do our best. We appreciate your offer.”

Beau threw up his arms.  “I’m so going to be anemic and comatose after this weekend.  They will have to carry me on the plane on a gurney.”

Steve grabbed hold of Beau, “I’ll call my Daddy and have him call the Bethesda Medical Center to make sure you are going to live.”

The guys came into the barracks and got the rest of us up.  They said nothing about what had happened.  We got everyone rounded up and went to the chow hall.  The personnel on duty were beginning to enjoy our group.  Beau and Jeff and the others enjoyed talking to the people working and making them feel important.

After breakfast, we boarded the buses and went to Mount Vernon.  When we got back to Andrews, we had lunch at the Club and then most of us went to the National Zoo.  We called it an early day and went back to get ready for the White House.  Our two Sergeants were having the experiences of their lives.  Beau and Jeff made sure they were included in all of the activities.

We had an early meal at the White House and the people who were going to be in the show left and went to the dressing room in the Capitol.  The announcer came out and said, “The first emcee for tonight is Mr. Beau Benson.  He has been pressed into action because our scheduled emcee was in a car accident this morning.”

Beau came out, “What the gentleman meant to say was is that I have been kidnapped and subjugated.  Ladies and Gentlemen, this is a special holiday.  Not only are you free; you are watching a free show tonight.  We think that you will enjoy some wonderful performances.  Now would everyone please rise as Dina Lincoln sings the national anthem?”

After the applause died down, Beau said, “Now ladies and gentlemen you are going to meet our four youngest performers.  I think you will really enjoy their performance.  Here are the Yankee Doodle Boys”

After the applause settled down, Beau said, “Wow and to think that they are only five years old.  Our next entertainer is 12 years older, Mr. Drew Washington.  You will recognize the song.” 

Drew sang Old Man River.  After the audience settled down, Beau said, “Now for a little change of pace and some improvised early American music in a different manner.  Here are Jeff, Denny and Kenny playing Dueling Guitars.”

When the applause stopped, Spencer came out and said, “Beau is about to go into melt down.  So you will have to put up with me, Spencer.  I am in no way as funny as he is but I’ll do the best I can do.  Beau said last night.  We are fortunate to have a member in our party from Nebraska who was here in Washington the day that Dr. Martin Luther King made his famous I Have a Dream statement.  If you will look at the monitor, Aunt Cora is sitting on the lawn at the White House, waving.  You have already seen her Great grandson Drew once before, tonight.  He will read a copy of Dr. King’s address and then Jeff Wilson, our director, will sing The Impossible Dream.”

The entire mall was absolutely still as Drew read and as Jeff was singing there were many tears in the audience.  Again the audience response was unbelievable.

This time it was Chip who came out with the microphone.  “I’ve been pressed into action, since I know these next four entertainers who will be singing better than anyone else.  Spencer knows them too, but he is still sobbing from the last song.  Anyway, here are Beau, Berto, S.Z.Q. and Rebecca.  I have to warn you, these people have never sung this song together before.  Remember what Beau mentioned at the start of the program about being free.”

The four young teenagers bounded out and Beau nodded to the orchestra to start.  They were awesome as they sang Born Free. 

Chip announced, “I am now turning the program over to the regular announcer who will introduce tonight’s celebrity guest stars.”

The announcer said, “The stars who were scheduled to perform tonight would like to make an announcement.  Mr. Frank Summer will be speaking for the group.”

Mr. Summer took the microphone and said, “We have agreed among ourselves that there is no way we can compete with these young people tonight so we are going to refund what we received.”

Beau grabbed the microphone.  “What Mr. Summer meant to say was that they will be joining us in the next number after they introduce themselves.  The people came here tonight expecting to see you.  Well they will have seen you.  You could always donate your honorariums to the Homeless and Needy Fund.  You know of course that we are receiving no monetary rewards for the shows we have been doing.”

Okay ladies and gentlemen, a little change in the program.  We need all of the performers front and center.  Everyone who was in attendance from Fremont came front and center and surrounded the celebrities.  They launched into America the Beautiful.

As everyone was leaving, Beau held Tommy’s arm and said, “Now my brother will sing a song about tonight.”  Tommy sang Tonight from West Side Story.

While the audience was applauding, Tommy held Beau and said, “And now my Brother Beau will sing I Believe.”

Beau threw up his hands and did a spectacular job which the audience appreciated.  When he finished, Beau announced, “The Jazz Ensemble from Fremont will now perform for you.  Let it Rip.”

They did their patented outstanding job of When the Saints Go Marching In.

Spencer came out and said, “We have Dina back to sing the Battle Hymn of the Republic.”  The audience and orchestra were struck by her talent.

Chip came out with the microphone and said, “That producer fellow is standing over there like he is chopping off his head so I guess it's time for us to close, because it must be past his bedtime.  All the people who have been performing tonight will join us for our final songs.”

“Beau came out and stood in the center and nodded to the conductor.  He led the group in This Land Is Your Land.   When it finished he said, “That was just a reminder that when you leave tonight the area should look as good as or better than when you arrived.”

The group launched into Happy Trails and then Beau had the audience stand and asked them to participate in God Bless America.  As it ended, he announced “now sit back and listen to this special orchestra as they perform The 1812 Overture.  They will be joined by the marine honor guard.  Enjoy the fireworks.”

The orchestra stood as Jeff led his group to the bus.  They quickly arrived at the White House and dessert was served.  Everyone was full of praises.  Beau arranged for Steve and Jen to go back to Fremont with us.  S.Z.Q. was also going with us.  Everyone was exhausted and we boarded the buses and went back to the base.  Everyone got ready for bed.

To be continued...

Feedback always welcome:     

Editor's Notes:

Well, talk about tears. That was a wonderful chapter. You had them singing some of my favorite songs, and they really did do a great job of performing them. I am always amazed at how well they do when pressed into performing on very short notice. It is as if they were born for it.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 02/29/08