Oh, so nice

SUGAR & SPICE

 

Bennie Sugarman is anything but sweet, nor is he a man. What he is, is a shrimp in love with himself, his musical knowledge and ability to win over just about any woman when he has an itch, an urge. Ladies, real ladies, know him, know him too well, to be taken in by his mellow notes and twinkling toes.

 

Karioke night and there he is, at the bar, drinking, practicing. Over and over he sings to the noisy crowd, a la Frankie, 'I've Got You Under my Skin.' I can't help but watch his body hunches, the twinkle in his eye, the sudden stops and hand-rolling. I hate to admit it even to myself, Bennie is good. Yet I can hear him whine, bitch about his bad breaks, his small demeanor. Well, he never really used that big word to me, but I felt good teaching him something.

 

After some professional coaching, he believes he is ready to try-out for Dancing With the Stars. He surely considers himself a star  but he doesn't even twinkle. Try-out #1 is a big flop and almost bursts his balloon. The wait to get into the Cat Call area is over before he gets half way to the door. For a whole week he must be hiding in his apartment, planning the next step, what trickery he has to use to get someplace else. His usual haunts are glad he is gone for a while.

 

Each day he goes earlier and earlier, finally reaches the entrance, enters and is in yet another line. This line requires credentials, where one has entertained, when, results. Bennie has little to offer. Dishonestly, he fills out the forms with fictitious places in other cities, the reviews he got and moves ahead. It is then that he notices a gorgeous young woman smiling, getting an envelope from the man at the desk. She must pass Bennie to exit. His wiles take action, his foot extends into the narrow space between the lines and he trips her.

 

Helping her stand, his apologies flow like soft silk from an Asian worm.
Just a bit shaky, she smiles at him, is glad to say she broke nothing but her thumb fingernail. Bennie temporarily forgets Dancing With the Stars, introduces himself, and offers to take her to lunch and then a manicurist he happens to know. With no hesitation she accepts, tells him her name, Ginger Cravers. 'Maybe you've seen my name on the credits for Stars.' Bennie almost passes out. Liar, liar, his pants catch on fire. 'Of course, Ginger, you don't mind if I call you that do you?'

 

Conversation never stops as they have lunch at the El Camino. The light meal is delicious, everything that should be hot, is hot, and that includes Benny and Ginger.

 

She saunters over to the registration desk, is greeted by name, given the key to 701.