Zippy Pop

West End Blues by King Oliver’s Dixie Syncopators plays.

It’s a dreary day in Minnesota. It’s January. And Scott and Zelda are off to a party.

“Scott! I need to stop.” says Zelda in her pretty, moderate voice. It’s so even. So…possessing. Like…warm milk with tart lemon bars served on the edge of a cliff. Is it the best view in the city…or…the end of life? It’s a terrifying voice.

“It is a pretty voice though.” says Lem.

“Yes!” says Lacey.

Anyway…they arrive at the party.

“Scott…I have a run in my stockings.” says Zelda.

Scott can be bothered. He rolls his eyes. He looks extremely exhausted. He flips his wild hair back. It sticks up in the air. They stand on opposite sides of their car.

“Scott…let’s not quarrel. I need to go home.” says Zelda.

He smiles, kindly. Then he walks right past her.

She stands in awe and rage.

“Come on!!” he says, tired.

She laughs and flirts with him.

“I’m not driving. It’s just too much.” says Scott.

She slumps her shoulders. Pouts.

“You look good as is. Remove your stockings when you’re inside.” says Scott.

She rips off her stockings and shreds them off of herself. She walks away with Scott and they find themselves in the James J. Hill House on Summit Avenue.

“Hello!” says Scott kissing an elderly woman on the cheek.

As the evening progresses Scott and Zelda become a bit tipsy. It’s a lovely night.

“Gee Scott…why are we married?” asks Zelda.

When The Sun Sets Down South plays.

They sit near the open window smoking.

“Well…because you’re mine.” says Scott.

“I’m not sure if that’s true. Not anymore.” says Zelda.

Scott almost cries.

She embraces him. Throws her arms around him. “Scott…I love. I love you.”

“Then how can you possibly not be mine?!?” says Scott, in terror.

Zelda ignores him. Rocks them back and forth.

“Zelda you’re hurting me.” says Scott laughing and smiling.

She laughs and looks at him and cries. Bites her bottom lip.

He takes her hands.

He comes on to her.

“Let’s go home.” he whispers to her in her left ear.

She falls her forehead onto his shoulder.

“No! I want to stay!” she says, brightly.

“Why!?” asks Scott.

Zelda looks sad. She looks around. Gives him a look.

“We have a child.” says Scott.

Zelda looks upset. Stands-up.

“I’m not going to lie! I love my little daisy. …But I’m not just a mommy.” says Zelda.

Scott looks disturbed. He seems to think she sounds crazy.

“We need to hear the sounds of war!!” yells Louis Hill rushing past them.

Scott looks sad. Stares at the ground.

“Scott let’s go home.” says Zelda, suddenly.

He looks up at her and looks sad.

“Why not stay for a while and then go home in an hour? At most!” says Scott.

“Or two!” says Zelda.

“Fine!” says Scott. He smirks lovingly. Makes a silly look and kisses her cheek. She stands frozen.

“We can’t go home now anyway. We can’t have another baby.” says Zelda.

He picks her up and carries her. She eventually starts laughing.

“You’re my rock of Gibraltar.” says Zelda quietly to him.

And that’s that.

…………………………………….•

Lacey and Lem arrive at the same party.

“I’m tired.” says Lacey.

Lem looks at her, quizzically. Lacey waits.

“It’s late.” says Lem. “Do we need to drink first?”

Lacey looks sad. “No. Let’s just-“

“You need to fix your lipstick.” he says.

She fixes it.

He laughs to himself and gets out of the car. Opens her door. She steps out on cue.

He wraps his arm around her and they walk in together.

People are cold. They stare. Lacey worries they’ve been offensive. She looks around.

Suddenly a woman approaches them and meekly tries to cheer them both up.

“Oh my! How lovely to see you both here tonight.” she says.

Lacey kisses her cheeks in the air. To be funny.

She squeezes Lacey’s hand like a sister. Almost like she’s pleading for help.

“Where are you all at now?” asks Lem.

Louis Hill walks up to them from the stairs and considers eyeing Lacey…but then reconsiders and looks embarrassed and extremely disturbed. Possibly by himself. He walks quickly away in an unexpected direction.

“We’re in the Keys.” she says.

“Oh how lovely.” says Lacey.

“Yes.” she says.

“I spent lots of time in Florida in my childhood.” says Lacey.

“I know. You’re dad used to hit on Coco Chanel there.” she says to Lacey, bitingly.

Lacey giggles. “Nice to see you!” says Lacey.

“You wretched bitch!” she says quietly to Lacey, as she walks off.

“Don’t be so crass.” says Lacey, loudly.

She shirks away.

Lacey stands and stares in fight mode. And shock.

“Let’s go get something to nibble on.” says Lem.

“No. Let’s go see The Captain. Now.” says Lacey.

Lem closes his eyes. Lacey and Lem dart down the hallway and head towards an office. She walks in quietly with Lem. They sit in smoky leather seats.

Lem chats brightly with the men. Suddenly, Louis Hill Junior sits down with them with brandy. Crosses his legs. Leans back.

They all causally talk. It’s quite pleasant.

“Listen…why doesn’t Lacey stay the night?” asks Louis, drunk.

Lem laughs.

“Louis what’s that painting of?” asks Lacey.

He looks off. “Paris.” says Louis.

“Yes. It’s a Manet.” says Lem.

“Louis. We’re hungry.” says Lacey.

He laughs. “You don’t need to sleep with me to have me bring in food.” says Louis.

“I want a sandwich.” says Lem.

“Soup.” says Lacey.

“I’m depressed.” announces Louis.

Lem nods.

“Louis you need soup too.” says Lacey.

“What kind?” asks Louis.

“Something with tomatoes!” says Lacey.

“Yes.” says Louis standing up. He goes off to acquire some.

They all sit and eat. Lem manages to get Louis to spill his guts a bit about what’s happening. And then Lacey and Lem cheer him up with words of encouragement and their friendship.

An hour later. Lacey and Lem leave and Lacey’s kisses Louis’s cheek.

Walking out towards their car…Lem grabs Lacey’s arm.

“Why did you kiss him!?” asks Lem, gravely.

“I needed to. I think. He was so sad.” says Lacey.

“I think it was too much.” says Lem.

“Yeah. I’m sorry. But what else could I do?” asks Lacey.

He laughs. Then he looks sad.

“He needed to feel loved.” says Lacey.

“I doubt he misunderstood.” says Lem.

“Let’s go home. I’m mortified.” says Lacey.

Lem escorts her out. Slowly and with dignity.

Once they’re outside, “I’m so worried. That was a mess.” says Lacey.

“It was.” says Lem. “Let’s go to a diner.”

“Yes! A hamburger and fries.” says Lacey.

“Too bad we can’t take it out. Right away.” says Lem.

“Let’s try it.” says Lacey.

“No. Let’s just go home.” says Lem.

And they do and Lacey makes them food. It’s nice.

……………………………..•

“So. Which was better?” asks Scott. “The first or the second?” He thinks. “Both couples are in love.” He thinks. “Which is nicer?”

“Scott I don’t think you’re vain I think you’re kind and I think you’re profound. I don’t think people valued you and I’m sorry.” says a professor.