Frankie and the Manhattan Lady

3rd in the Manhattan Lady series - Frankie is Sonja agent

 

Frankie and the Manhattan Lady

It was a Saturday evening around 5:30, and the House of Blues in Orlando, at the heart of Downtown Disney, was already jumping. Everything was a buzz with the nights entertainment. The fabulous “Manhattan Lady”, Sonja, was scheduled for this evenings performance. This sultry jazz blues singer/performer was a popular artist so far in her short career. A lot of this had to do with her top-of-the-list agent manager,Frankie. Frankie was a street smart, book educated agent. He held a Masters degree from Stanford University's school of entertainment management. Graduated in the top 1 % of his class, but that was hardly the reason that people in the music business both feared and respected Frankie. Slick back hair, shades, an unlit cigarette between his lips, always dressed impeccable in his $2500 suits, $100 silk ties, and fancy wingtip shoes from Italy. Frankie was a no nonsense, no bull, and tell you straight to your face kind of guy. He was not an jerk, just knew his job and the people he had to deal with in this business. He was actually a really nice guy. Participated in charity events whenever he could, and was a very active in his son's school PTA. He just made sure his clients, and especially Sonya, were treated fairly and with respect.

I was on a business trip in Atlanta for the week, and decided to rent a car and drive the 6 hours to the Orlando area down I-75 to the Florida turnpike, connecting to I-4. It was late January, and I decided it would be nice to drive in the 70 degrees climate, after facing the normal freezing cold snowy New York winter for the past 2 months. I was anxious to see Sonya. I had not held her hand dancing for almost 3 weeks. I had not held her in my arms for almost that long. I got to the Club finally around 7:30. Sonya was scheduled to perform at 8:00. I tossed my keys to the club valet attendant, purchased my pre-orderd $75 ticket, and entered the club.

The club inside was like an ant colony. People buzzing around, laughing, drinking, telling stories. In the background they had some Muddy Waters then some BB King filling the room. The club was decorated with all sort of blues, jazz and even some rock memorabilia. Posters, autographed guitars, autographed pictures, saxaphones, trumpets, playbills. Anything and everything dealing the blues and jazz. The place was pretty well jampacked and I wasn't sure where I would find a seat, maybe at the bar. A sweet little hostess came over and asked if I needed assistance. I told her I was here to see Sonya perform, and casually dropped that I was a personal friend of hers. She, I think Liz was her name, asked if I had a reserved seat and asked what my name was. I told her and she smiled up at me and said she had a special table for me. I followed her towards the front of the club, close to the stage area. As I was sitting down I saw Frankie coming down the steps from the stage. He spotted me, and as always greeted me with that big smile, warm strong hand shake, and a slap on the back. Glad to see you could make it down for the performance. I know Sonya was very happy you were coming. Frankie, you know I wouldn't miss it for the world. I winked and Frankie nodded.

The lights were dimming now, and the curtain rose. A spotlite shown down

on this guy, I think they referred to him as Spider Fingers, beginning this cool introduction on a big black Stein Bros Grand Piano. He was joined by stand up bass player and a drummer. After a minute or so, the spotlite moved over to the edge of the stage. Standing there with a hand held mike, looking stunning as usual, with her long dark hair, wearing a black evening gown was Sonja. She started in with her low sexy voice on a rendition of Peggy Lee's, Give me Fever. She was the perfect jazz singer. Beautiful, sexy with that incredibly sexy sultry voice. She would have made Peggy proud. The audience applauded, yelled, whistled their approval on each and every song that Sonja sang that nite. Flashes were going off all over the club as everyone wanted a picture of the fabulous Sonja. I loved listening to Sonja sing, but I was anxious to get this night moving forward as I said I had not seen her in almost 3 weeks. The night finally came to a closure. People were milling around, some getting autographs from the performers. Finally Sonja appeared with her jacket wrapped around her shoulders. She gave me a kiss on the cheek and a big hug. A couple of the big spenders came over and started talking to us and Frankie joined in. One of the guys was a club owner from Atlanta. He wanted to get Sonja on a week long gig at his club, and asked if we wanted to go out, have some drinks, and discuss the deal. Sonja looked at me. I looked at Sonja. Frankie looked at both of us, thanked the gentleman, and said he would handle the deal, and that Sonja had other business to attend to. Frankie

winked at me and I nodded at him, turned and Sonja and I left the club. Finally I would have the rest of this night to spend with my Manhattan Lady thanks to Frankie. Frankie and the Manhattan Lady. What a classy pair.

Gomer LePoet...

Reviews

[deeps]

This got me a luaghing.
This is so funny and so enjoyable to read.
Very creative write. I like this alot.