2.(45-47) Duchin at the Carlyle/Visual Vocal Style

Slim Novel 2 - http://adventuresofkimi.blogspot.com - See Homepage

45. Café Carlyle

They approach a desk where the director of the waiters, also known as maitre d’, is bent over looking at a diagram of tables. Ali had called-in a reservation for 2 with dinner and show for 20 dollars; expensive, but appropriate for the best café in New York. The maitre d' beckons a white-jacket waiter while Kimura versed in U.S. restaurant etiquette slips a 10-dollar bill into his left hand.

   After seating them, the maitre d'  who introduced himself as Julius, comes to the table, inquiring “Will mademoiselle and monsieur desire cocktails? The first is on Julius.”

   Ali is ordering and she asks for martinis – gin and vermouth – straight up (No ice). She knows Kimura prefers his ethyl alcohol concentrated and he dislikes ice in drinks. After Julius leaves, Ali leans close and says in low voice, “Frogs give me the creeps, Kim.”

  “I consider them a delicacy, Ali.”

  “Not that kind, Hon.” She quickly glances around. “I mean that jerk, Julius.”

  “Oh, I see. You are prejudiced contra Gauls.”

  “Well not Charles Boyer or Jean Gabin. But that oily maitre d’! Boy, I’m glad he didn’t kiss my hand. No tellin' where those lips have been.” She glances about. It is 7 PM and restaurant service has started at several tables while four musicians are tuning up on the bandstand. The waiter arrives with the martinis in tall high-stem glasses. Ali knows Kimura’s preference for drinking before eating so as to avoid dilution of the alcohol in order to extract maximal pleasure from it and also his limiting himself to one cocktail. So she paces him with small sips several minutes apart. The sourness of the vermouth combined with the sharply tart gin kindles a conditioning in her brain and even before the alcohol could have risen in her blood she feels at peace.

   The band's sidemen are seated and a piano rolled in for Eddy Duchin. Then, overhead lights dim and Eddy Duchin steps to the mike and announces a dance number then turns saying, “A one and a two,” as he moves his right arm and the other players strike up East of the Sun and West of the Moon. 

   Kimura spots a change in Ali and he too gets an eerie feeling. “Are you OK, Ali-san?”

   She seems confused. “Got a feelin’ I been here before. C’mon Hon, lyez dance.”

46. Kandy Kane Sings

Lost in each other’s arms, they dance. Overhead lights dim and tinted spotlights produce a purple haze which, especially after having had the martinis, makes both of them feel too much in love. Kimura, as he holds Ali her face pressed to his jacket below right shoulder and the fragrance of her blonde hair exciting him, feels his own romantic moment.

   The band stops and the lights go on. Eddy Duchin is at the piano in tuxedo that ill fits his slim frame and with thinning front hair and friendly face. Kimura visually remarks the other newcomer sitting on folding chair. Ali interrupts his staring with a tug on sleeve. “Kim, c’mon, we better get back to the table!”

   They sit as Duchin goes into his intro. “Good evening ladies and gen’lemen, nice to be back at the Carlyle again. I’d like to lead off with my special treat, our own Kandy Kane and ain’ she swee’ an’ right as rain?  Stan’ up darlin!’”  He lifts his right arm and his singer moves to face the microphone. 

   Sitting to Kimura’s left, her chair like his, turned from table to stage, Ali puts right hand to cover her expression. Now that Kandy Kane is visible in the spotlight on the raised bandstand, Kimura understands what attracted his attention in the low light. Kandy Kane is strikingly good looking and - nearly a lookalike of Ali!

47. I’d Rather Look at You

The band singer's dark blonde hair is drawn back from forehead and parted in middle to make 2 wide strands that are piled prettily. Striking eyes under luxuriant brows recall for Kimura, himself a jazz aficionado, the popular song lyric"Jeepers creepers, where’d ya get those peepers?" Her sleeveless single-piece white gown is set off by thin shoulder-straps and white silk bodice that uncovers a beautiful neck down to cleavage, and attached to each strap is frilly white lace suggesting faerie wings. Her lower gown is sheer white and falls prettily to floor, giving hint of superb thighs and elegant curves. All this Kimura takes in as Eddy Duchin at piano behind and to her right gives opening cue: “Kandy, tell us just what is in your heart.”

   She looks at him and says in matter-of-fact voice, “I’d rather look at you.”

   Eddy waves right hand and the band strikes up.

   Kandy’s delivery uses expressive body language. Facing the tables, she appears at ease, her body swaying to the music, and arms, hands and fingers moving delicately to express the lyrics. Her erotically exciting eyes and cozily coherent captivating face rivet attention. At the words “Lady Liberty” she ups right arm in the famous New York Harbor Statue of Liberty pose and, looking as if she could not care less, she cups chin in palm of left hand, its elbow supported on palm. She sings in pleasant low-pitch with clear wording that stops short of sounding merely cute and, where the tempo increases, she speeds to jitterbug beat and moves in catchy cadence presenting basic body language.

   Kimura scribbles her lyrics on napkin.

I’d rather look at you-oo,

Than see the most magnificent view-oo.

And if Miss Liberty

Should suddenly swim out to sea,

‘T’would surely be – a startling site – it’s tru-oo.

But I’d much rather – look at you-oo.

I’d rather look at you-oo,

Than travel all the Universe thru-oo.

If they moved China’s wall,

To dam – Niagara’s waterfall.

To go there is a thing I’d never do-oo.

For I’d much rather look at you-oo.

   Ali reaches left hand across to Kimura and looks longingly at him.

If all the famous statues in the Louvre,

Should begin to move (Tempo speeds)

Like a lot of jitterbugs in the groo-oove.

I’d rather look at you-oo

Across a cozy table for two-oo

And if the moon should fall

And land upon the City Hall

I wouldn’t even cross the avenyoo-oo.

For I’d much rather look at you-oo.

   Now, a brief pause. Eddy Duchin, with wave of arm indicating that his sidemen players repeat the first part, stands up from his piano and, catching Kandy at her waist, he dances her smoothly around the microphone as the diners from tables clap their applause. Then he pulls a pair of opera glasses from his pocket and gives them to Kandy and returns to the piano. Kandy resumes singing.

I’d rather look at you-oo,

Across a cozy table for two-oo

If Mr. FDR* were signed up as a movie star,

I’d only stay to see a reel or two-oo

For I’d much rather look at you-oo.

(*FDR is Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the very popular U.S. president in 1939) 

   The applause comes from every table. Kandy moves back from the microphone, stands quietly and responds to Eddy Duchin's personal applause by bowing slightly, and sits.
   Ali’s cheeks are wet. Grabbing a napkin she makes a quick wipe. “Kim, I won’t say anything. I want this feeling to go on and on and on.” She dabs her napkin with water and wipes away the smeared mascara from under her eyes, Just then a familiar voice asks “May I join you?”
To read next, click 2.(48-49) Is It - 2 Blondes? - More Fun in One Bed...

•