WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:00.750 align:middle line:90% 00:00:00.750 --> 00:00:04.050 align:middle line:84% Harmony is driving home, eastward out of Las Vegas. 00:00:04.050 --> 00:00:07.620 align:middle line:84% Her spirits high, her head a clutter of memories. 00:00:07.620 --> 00:00:11.280 align:middle line:84% Harmony loves to remember bits of her life, it makes her feel, 00:00:11.280 --> 00:00:14.280 align:middle line:84% well, anyway, it's all been interesting. 00:00:14.280 --> 00:00:17.250 align:middle line:84% One of the memories that pops in is something Ross used to say. 00:00:17.250 --> 00:00:19.530 align:middle line:84% Ross is her husband, she's never bothered 00:00:19.530 --> 00:00:22.800 align:middle line:84% to divorce him but he's been gone for 14 years. 00:00:22.800 --> 00:00:25.500 align:middle line:84% One of the memories that pops in is something Ross used to say, 00:00:25.500 --> 00:00:29.310 align:middle line:84% which was that they ought to call Las Vegas Leg City or else 00:00:29.310 --> 00:00:30.660 align:middle line:90% Titsburgh. 00:00:30.660 --> 00:00:33.725 align:middle line:84% Ross was always thinking of funny names for things. 00:00:33.725 --> 00:00:35.100 align:middle line:84% He had kept her laughing right up 00:00:35.100 --> 00:00:38.947 align:middle line:84% until the time they had Pepper, plus about a year more. 00:00:38.947 --> 00:00:41.280 align:middle line:84% And then she and Pepper took him down to the bus station 00:00:41.280 --> 00:00:43.170 align:middle line:84% behind the Stardust one day, he was just 00:00:43.170 --> 00:00:47.340 align:middle line:84% going to take on a job doing lights for a show up in Tahoe, 00:00:47.340 --> 00:00:49.600 align:middle line:84% and he sort of just never come back. 00:00:49.600 --> 00:00:51.750 align:middle line:84% Although Pepper was as cute a little girl as anyone 00:00:51.750 --> 00:00:53.850 align:middle line:84% could have wanted and Harmony herself 00:00:53.850 --> 00:00:55.830 align:middle line:84% at the time, as had been said by some to have 00:00:55.830 --> 00:00:59.310 align:middle line:84% the best legs in Las Vegas and maybe the best bust too. 00:00:59.310 --> 00:01:02.370 align:middle line:84% Although that was long before she had done topless, so only 00:01:02.370 --> 00:01:03.960 align:middle line:84% Ross and a few of her old boyfriends 00:01:03.960 --> 00:01:06.450 align:middle line:84% really knew the whole story there. 00:01:06.450 --> 00:01:08.040 align:middle line:84% Ross did think she was great looking 00:01:08.040 --> 00:01:09.900 align:middle line:84% though, there was no doubt of that, 00:01:09.900 --> 00:01:11.700 align:middle line:90% and their sex life had been OK. 00:01:11.700 --> 00:01:14.760 align:middle line:84% Maybe not va-boom karoom, which was the phrase Gary always 00:01:14.760 --> 00:01:17.340 align:middle line:84% used about people who had a big attraction for one another, 00:01:17.340 --> 00:01:19.013 align:middle line:90% but definitely OK. 00:01:19.013 --> 00:01:20.430 align:middle line:84% And they'd almost had enough money 00:01:20.430 --> 00:01:21.805 align:middle line:84% to make a down payment on a house 00:01:21.805 --> 00:01:24.105 align:middle line:84% with a swimming pool, didn't happen. 00:01:24.105 --> 00:01:25.980 align:middle line:84% Pepper just had to take swimming lessons down 00:01:25.980 --> 00:01:28.650 align:middle line:84% at the Stardust pool with the other kids whose parents worked 00:01:28.650 --> 00:01:30.420 align:middle line:90% in the show. 00:01:30.420 --> 00:01:32.220 align:middle line:84% But then Harmony had always sort of known 00:01:32.220 --> 00:01:34.140 align:middle line:84% that legs and the sex life and the little girl 00:01:34.140 --> 00:01:35.515 align:middle line:84% in the house with a swimming pool 00:01:35.515 --> 00:01:38.400 align:middle line:84% hadn't meant that much to Ross, he had told her right off 00:01:38.400 --> 00:01:40.952 align:middle line:84% he liked to change lives once in a while. 00:01:40.952 --> 00:01:43.410 align:middle line:84% And he was such a good light man he could just about always 00:01:43.410 --> 00:01:44.850 align:middle line:90% work. 00:01:44.850 --> 00:01:46.650 align:middle line:84% It was just that Ross could always 00:01:46.650 --> 00:01:49.500 align:middle line:84% make her laugh, that had been the cute thing about him. 00:01:49.500 --> 00:01:51.840 align:middle line:84% She still smiled when she thought of Ross, 00:01:51.840 --> 00:01:53.340 align:middle line:84% although he had started going bald 00:01:53.340 --> 00:01:55.510 align:middle line:90% and wasn't even 30 when he left. 00:01:55.510 --> 00:01:57.390 align:middle line:84% She didn't mind his going so much, 00:01:57.390 --> 00:02:00.240 align:middle line:84% Ross should get to change lives if that was what he liked. 00:02:00.240 --> 00:02:02.520 align:middle line:84% And he did send money, not too regularly 00:02:02.520 --> 00:02:04.320 align:middle line:84% but sometimes he would send a lot 00:02:04.320 --> 00:02:06.660 align:middle line:84% if he had a run at the craps tables. 00:02:06.660 --> 00:02:08.910 align:middle line:84% He had never been unkind so if he liked 00:02:08.910 --> 00:02:11.250 align:middle line:90% to change lives that was OK. 00:02:11.250 --> 00:02:12.810 align:middle line:84% The only sad part was that Pepper 00:02:12.810 --> 00:02:15.180 align:middle line:84% was beautiful from the time she was about three, 00:02:15.180 --> 00:02:18.240 align:middle line:84% it seemed kind of wrong that Ross wasn't getting to see it. 00:02:18.240 --> 00:02:19.890 align:middle line:84% By the time she was five, Pepper could 00:02:19.890 --> 00:02:22.200 align:middle line:84% sing well enough that she could have probably even got 00:02:22.200 --> 00:02:24.690 align:middle line:84% on the radio if Harmony had ever had time 00:02:24.690 --> 00:02:27.818 align:middle line:84% to investigate that angle, somehow she never did. 00:02:27.818 --> 00:02:29.610 align:middle line:84% Once in a while she would dream that Pepper 00:02:29.610 --> 00:02:32.130 align:middle line:84% did sing on the radio and then maybe dedicate 00:02:32.130 --> 00:02:35.040 align:middle line:84% a song to her daddy, and Ross would hear it. 00:02:35.040 --> 00:02:37.120 align:middle line:84% That would be a nice thing for him. 00:02:37.120 --> 00:02:40.230 align:middle line:84% He was just up in Reno, still working lights. 00:02:40.230 --> 00:02:43.560 align:middle line:84% But then dreams, they weren't too real or maybe real but not 00:02:43.560 --> 00:02:45.155 align:middle line:90% too likely to happen. 00:02:45.155 --> 00:02:46.530 align:middle line:84% Pepper had gotten more interested 00:02:46.530 --> 00:02:49.380 align:middle line:84% in dancing than singing although she still sang beautifully, 00:02:49.380 --> 00:02:53.130 align:middle line:84% Harmony thought, others too, particularly Myrtle. 00:02:53.130 --> 00:02:56.130 align:middle line:84% Myrtle is an old lady that lives with Harmony 00:02:56.130 --> 00:02:59.490 align:middle line:84% in the only other half of the duplex they lived in. 00:02:59.490 --> 00:03:01.380 align:middle line:84% Harmony had always wanted to sing, 00:03:01.380 --> 00:03:03.180 align:middle line:84% it was something she envied Pepper 00:03:03.180 --> 00:03:05.550 align:middle line:84% but she just never had much of a voice. 00:03:05.550 --> 00:03:07.200 align:middle line:84% The one time she auditioned, people 00:03:07.200 --> 00:03:08.430 align:middle line:90% couldn't keep from laughing. 00:03:08.430 --> 00:03:11.430 align:middle line:84% After all, her name was Harmony but she couldn't sing, 00:03:11.430 --> 00:03:13.260 align:middle line:84% who could blame them for laughing? 00:03:13.260 --> 00:03:17.250 align:middle line:84% "Harmony, accept your fate, just be beautiful," Bonventre said. 00:03:17.250 --> 00:03:19.800 align:middle line:84% Bonventre is the producer whom she's 00:03:19.800 --> 00:03:22.510 align:middle line:90% worked with most of her life. 00:03:22.510 --> 00:03:25.350 align:middle line:84% Meanwhile, driving out Sahara Avenue 00:03:25.350 --> 00:03:27.810 align:middle line:84% as the night was into its finale, 00:03:27.810 --> 00:03:30.720 align:middle line:84% Olivia Newton John sang to her on the car radio 00:03:30.720 --> 00:03:32.580 align:middle line:90% a song from Grease. 00:03:32.580 --> 00:03:35.070 align:middle line:84% Harmony had just loved the movie, plus, she truly did 00:03:35.070 --> 00:03:38.140 align:middle line:84% love driving home just as the day was beginning, 00:03:38.140 --> 00:03:40.560 align:middle line:84% already dawn had sketched the outline of the mountains 00:03:40.560 --> 00:03:42.660 align:middle line:90% to the east in light gray. 00:03:42.660 --> 00:03:46.950 align:middle line:84% Usually after the show, she and Jessie, another showgirl, she 00:03:46.950 --> 00:03:50.010 align:middle line:84% and Jessie and Gary, Gary is the costume man. 00:03:50.010 --> 00:03:52.770 align:middle line:84% Gary would go sit in the little keno bar at the Stardust 00:03:52.770 --> 00:03:55.800 align:middle line:84% and drink beer and wind down for a couple of hours, 00:03:55.800 --> 00:03:58.093 align:middle line:84% mainly it was just listening to Gary talk. 00:03:58.093 --> 00:03:59.760 align:middle line:84% He was the wardrobe manager and if there 00:03:59.760 --> 00:04:01.530 align:middle line:84% was anybody who could talk more than Gary, 00:04:01.530 --> 00:04:03.540 align:middle line:90% Harmony didn't know who. 00:04:03.540 --> 00:04:05.490 align:middle line:84% Gary was an old friend plus he had 00:04:05.490 --> 00:04:08.160 align:middle line:84% his own point of view, sort of an interested in everything 00:04:08.160 --> 00:04:09.720 align:middle line:90% point of view. 00:04:09.720 --> 00:04:12.330 align:middle line:84% Jessie liked him a lot and once confided in Harmony 00:04:12.330 --> 00:04:14.370 align:middle line:84% that she still hoped Gary would stop being gay 00:04:14.370 --> 00:04:17.519 align:middle line:84% and fall in love with her, which was a hopeless wish of course, 00:04:17.519 --> 00:04:20.730 align:middle line:84% Gary couldn't stop being gay, just for Jessie's sake. 00:04:20.730 --> 00:04:22.290 align:middle line:84% But he did spend most of his nights 00:04:22.290 --> 00:04:24.000 align:middle line:84% sitting around talking to two showgirls 00:04:24.000 --> 00:04:26.460 align:middle line:84% rather than hitting the discos or having dates. 00:04:26.460 --> 00:04:29.370 align:middle line:84% He was an unusual man, Gary, for sure. 00:04:29.370 --> 00:04:31.200 align:middle line:84% If you were depressed or in any trouble, 00:04:31.200 --> 00:04:35.400 align:middle line:84% there was no one better to talk to, not in Las Vegas anyway. 00:04:35.400 --> 00:04:37.290 align:middle line:84% But usually it was Jessie who got depressed 00:04:37.290 --> 00:04:39.600 align:middle line:84% and it was happening more and more lately. 00:04:39.600 --> 00:04:41.670 align:middle line:84% Even if the specific depression was over 00:04:41.670 --> 00:04:43.710 align:middle line:84% nothing worse than that one of the dancing nudes 00:04:43.710 --> 00:04:45.630 align:middle line:84% had told her her ass was getting dimpled, 00:04:45.630 --> 00:04:48.360 align:middle line:84% something normally bitchy like that, Jessie 00:04:48.360 --> 00:04:51.480 align:middle line:84% would just about sink out of sight, she would be so unhappy. 00:04:51.480 --> 00:04:53.010 align:middle line:84% She would sit right in the keno bar 00:04:53.010 --> 00:04:54.793 align:middle line:84% and cry with her stage makeup on, 00:04:54.793 --> 00:04:57.210 align:middle line:84% then she would just fade out and go to sleep with her head 00:04:57.210 --> 00:04:59.950 align:middle line:84% on the table, with Harmony and Gary both trying with might 00:04:59.950 --> 00:05:01.710 align:middle line:90% and means to cheer her up. 00:05:01.710 --> 00:05:03.510 align:middle line:84% "It's the end, I know it is," Jessie 00:05:03.510 --> 00:05:06.090 align:middle line:84% always said when she was sinking out of sight. 00:05:06.090 --> 00:05:07.567 align:middle line:84% "No it isn't," Gary would insist, 00:05:07.567 --> 00:05:09.900 align:middle line:84% "It's just that little French girl who told you your ass 00:05:09.900 --> 00:05:12.570 align:middle line:84% was dimpled, she certainly has no room to talk," 00:05:12.570 --> 00:05:13.920 align:middle line:90% et cetera, et cetera. 00:05:13.920 --> 00:05:15.690 align:middle line:84% "Besides, she uses body makeup which 00:05:15.690 --> 00:05:17.790 align:middle line:84% I hate because it turns the costumes orange 00:05:17.790 --> 00:05:20.250 align:middle line:84% and if it gets on the feathers, you 00:05:20.250 --> 00:05:23.280 align:middle line:84% can just forget that costume, those feathers won't 00:05:23.280 --> 00:05:23.790 align:middle line:90% come clean." 00:05:23.790 --> 00:05:26.360 align:middle line:90% 00:05:26.360 --> 00:05:29.130 align:middle line:84% Now I'm going to skip a little now, so we're getting home. 00:05:29.130 --> 00:05:34.260 align:middle line:90% 00:05:34.260 --> 00:05:36.810 align:middle line:84% Harmony turned off the pavement onto a little dirt road 00:05:36.810 --> 00:05:39.630 align:middle line:84% that was the last road there was to turn off on if you were 00:05:39.630 --> 00:05:42.030 align:middle line:90% going east out of Las Vegas. 00:05:42.030 --> 00:05:43.320 align:middle line:90% She rolled the window down. 00:05:43.320 --> 00:05:45.477 align:middle line:84% It was good to smell the desert in the morning. 00:05:45.477 --> 00:05:47.310 align:middle line:84% Even in the winter she liked to get some air 00:05:47.310 --> 00:05:49.200 align:middle line:90% when she was driving home. 00:05:49.200 --> 00:05:50.880 align:middle line:84% After all the smoke in the casino, 00:05:50.880 --> 00:05:53.190 align:middle line:84% just the clean air and the dry sagey smell 00:05:53.190 --> 00:05:55.440 align:middle line:90% made her feel lively. 00:05:55.440 --> 00:05:57.000 align:middle line:84% Now the outline over the mountains 00:05:57.000 --> 00:05:58.860 align:middle line:84% was gold instead of gray, and the stars 00:05:58.860 --> 00:06:02.010 align:middle line:84% were beginning to die out in a cloudless sky. 00:06:02.010 --> 00:06:04.800 align:middle line:84% Seeing the line of sun over the mountains made her hopeful, 00:06:04.800 --> 00:06:06.630 align:middle line:90% it just about always did. 00:06:06.630 --> 00:06:08.970 align:middle line:84% For another beautiful day was about to get started, 00:06:08.970 --> 00:06:11.910 align:middle line:84% which meant to Harmony that things could really be fresh 00:06:11.910 --> 00:06:14.640 align:middle line:84% and there could be a lot to hope for if you took the trouble 00:06:14.640 --> 00:06:16.620 align:middle line:84% to notice instead of just getting depressed, 00:06:16.620 --> 00:06:18.090 align:middle line:90% as Jessie did. 00:06:18.090 --> 00:06:20.190 align:middle line:84% Harmony kept wishing Jessie had taken her advice 00:06:20.190 --> 00:06:22.920 align:middle line:84% and got a little house out closer to the desert, 00:06:22.920 --> 00:06:24.300 align:middle line:84% she just had an apartment a block 00:06:24.300 --> 00:06:26.550 align:middle line:84% off the strip, which was handy, it was true but still 00:06:26.550 --> 00:06:29.010 align:middle line:84% didn't offer the great sights Harmony had to look forward 00:06:29.010 --> 00:06:32.280 align:middle line:84% to every day, such as the desert and her peacocks 00:06:32.280 --> 00:06:34.975 align:middle line:84% and the streamers of sun creeping over the mountains. 00:06:34.975 --> 00:06:37.350 align:middle line:84% Though, of course, Jessie was scared to death of peacocks 00:06:37.350 --> 00:06:39.015 align:middle line:84% along with about everything else. 00:06:39.015 --> 00:06:40.890 align:middle line:84% But still, just to get further from the strip 00:06:40.890 --> 00:06:42.450 align:middle line:84% and see a real morning once in a while 00:06:42.450 --> 00:06:43.867 align:middle line:84% might have at least taken her mind 00:06:43.867 --> 00:06:47.443 align:middle line:84% off bad comments she heard in the dressing room. 00:06:47.443 --> 00:06:49.860 align:middle line:84% When she turned off the pavement onto the bumpy dirt road, 00:06:49.860 --> 00:06:52.780 align:middle line:84% Harmony looked back at the strip eight miles away. 00:06:52.780 --> 00:06:56.340 align:middle line:84% It looked so miniature, like a wonderful toy place 00:06:56.340 --> 00:06:59.550 align:middle line:84% with all the lights still on, whereas on her other side 00:06:59.550 --> 00:07:01.800 align:middle line:84% there was a bright band of sun behind the mountains 00:07:01.800 --> 00:07:03.760 align:middle line:90% from horizon to horizon. 00:07:03.760 --> 00:07:07.260 align:middle line:84% Was one of her favorite things, to turn on to her own road 00:07:07.260 --> 00:07:09.750 align:middle line:84% with the air smelling so good and be 00:07:09.750 --> 00:07:11.700 align:middle line:84% able to see the strip, with the Trop 00:07:11.700 --> 00:07:15.090 align:middle line:84% up at one end and then the Sahara at the other. 00:07:15.090 --> 00:07:18.270 align:middle line:84% And besides that, have the sun coming up just as she got home. 00:07:18.270 --> 00:07:22.350 align:middle line:84% With sights like that to see every day, who could complain? 00:07:22.350 --> 00:07:24.003 align:middle line:84% Pretty as the sunrise was though, 00:07:24.003 --> 00:07:25.920 align:middle line:84% it wasn't enough to keep her mind off the fact 00:07:25.920 --> 00:07:29.070 align:middle line:84% that Myrtle's car was acting like it meant to conk out. 00:07:29.070 --> 00:07:31.320 align:middle line:84% Harmony had been having to borrow it ever since Denny, 00:07:31.320 --> 00:07:34.080 align:middle line:84% Denny is a boyfriend, a former boyfriend, 00:07:34.080 --> 00:07:36.810 align:middle line:84% totaled their Pontiac three weeks before. 00:07:36.810 --> 00:07:38.350 align:middle line:84% Myrtle was generous in emergencies, 00:07:38.350 --> 00:07:40.350 align:middle line:84% which was a good thing because it was definitely 00:07:40.350 --> 00:07:42.960 align:middle line:84% an emergency since Denny had taken off the day after he 00:07:42.960 --> 00:07:44.520 align:middle line:90% totaled the Pontiac. 00:07:44.520 --> 00:07:46.635 align:middle line:84% The insurance check hadn't come yet either, 00:07:46.635 --> 00:07:48.510 align:middle line:84% though Harmony had been told several times it 00:07:48.510 --> 00:07:50.040 align:middle line:90% would come any day. 00:07:50.040 --> 00:07:52.080 align:middle line:84% Myrtle's car was an old Buick station wagon 00:07:52.080 --> 00:07:53.880 align:middle line:84% which was sort of manageable on the highway 00:07:53.880 --> 00:07:56.910 align:middle line:84% but got cases of the jerks when it had to go slow. 00:07:56.910 --> 00:07:59.410 align:middle line:84% There was no way to keep from going slow on the dirt road, 00:07:59.410 --> 00:08:01.410 align:middle line:84% to go fast probably meant knocking on the bottom 00:08:01.410 --> 00:08:03.540 align:middle line:84% out which Myrtle no doubt would not appreciate. 00:08:03.540 --> 00:08:06.625 align:middle line:84% She didn't consider Harmony a good driver anyway. 00:08:06.625 --> 00:08:08.250 align:middle line:84% The more she slowed down for the bumps, 00:08:08.250 --> 00:08:09.840 align:middle line:90% the worse the Buick jerked. 00:08:09.840 --> 00:08:12.660 align:middle line:84% Also it could not be said that it smelled so great mainly 00:08:12.660 --> 00:08:14.460 align:middle line:84% because Myrtle was in the habit of stuffing 00:08:14.460 --> 00:08:16.740 align:middle line:84% Maude, her main goat, into the car 00:08:16.740 --> 00:08:19.470 align:middle line:84% so she'd have company while she roamed around Las Vegas 00:08:19.470 --> 00:08:22.830 align:middle line:84% and went to Boulder City to check out garage sales. 00:08:22.830 --> 00:08:25.350 align:middle line:84% Myrtle had very little to do except go to garage sales 00:08:25.350 --> 00:08:27.420 align:middle line:84% or else hold them in their mutual garage. 00:08:27.420 --> 00:08:29.280 align:middle line:84% The car had had so many goat hairs in it 00:08:29.280 --> 00:08:30.720 align:middle line:84% that Harmony had to spread towels 00:08:30.720 --> 00:08:32.928 align:middle line:84% on the front seat in order to keep from being covered 00:08:32.928 --> 00:08:34.695 align:middle line:90% with them and she got to work. 00:08:34.695 --> 00:08:36.570 align:middle line:84% "Well, this car is not going to make it home, 00:08:36.570 --> 00:08:39.480 align:middle line:84% I guess we're down to no car," she 00:08:39.480 --> 00:08:43.350 align:middle line:84% concluded about five seconds before the Buick conked out. 00:08:43.350 --> 00:08:46.440 align:middle line:84% I'll just go over and show her getting home. 00:08:46.440 --> 00:08:48.300 align:middle line:84% When Harmony walked up the driveway carrying 00:08:48.300 --> 00:08:49.740 align:middle line:84% her bag and the newspaper, Myrtle 00:08:49.740 --> 00:08:51.900 align:middle line:84% had already laid out her garage sale for the day 00:08:51.900 --> 00:08:54.750 align:middle line:84% and was sitting in the only lawn chair she hadn't already 00:08:54.750 --> 00:08:58.620 align:middle line:84% sold at previous garage sales, eating a bowl of cheerios 00:08:58.620 --> 00:09:00.420 align:middle line:90% and waiting for customers. 00:09:00.420 --> 00:09:02.550 align:middle line:84% Sometimes customers came early too. 00:09:02.550 --> 00:09:05.550 align:middle line:84% A lot of the Keno runners and even a few dealers, older women 00:09:05.550 --> 00:09:07.247 align:middle line:84% mostly, were into the garage sale scene 00:09:07.247 --> 00:09:09.330 align:middle line:84% and would grab a morning paper and hit a few sales 00:09:09.330 --> 00:09:11.580 align:middle line:90% before going home to bed. 00:09:11.580 --> 00:09:14.310 align:middle line:84% It was Myrtle's theory that any sane person would rather 00:09:14.310 --> 00:09:16.980 align:middle line:84% buy things than sleep and the steady parade of 00:09:16.980 --> 00:09:18.840 align:middle line:84% would be customers proved her right. 00:09:18.840 --> 00:09:20.340 align:middle line:84% Although Myrtle actually had nothing 00:09:20.340 --> 00:09:22.230 align:middle line:84% left to sell except cheap glassware, 00:09:22.230 --> 00:09:25.050 align:middle line:84% cheap costume, jewelry, some Reader's Digest books, 00:09:25.050 --> 00:09:26.730 align:middle line:84% and a few bedraggled blouses that 00:09:26.730 --> 00:09:29.610 align:middle line:84% had hung on a rack in the garage long since picked over 00:09:29.610 --> 00:09:32.340 align:middle line:84% by every bargain hunter in the area. 00:09:32.340 --> 00:09:34.230 align:middle line:84% Myrtle had set a bowl of dry cheerios 00:09:34.230 --> 00:09:36.660 align:middle line:84% on the driveway for Maude but Maude, 00:09:36.660 --> 00:09:38.790 align:middle line:84% a little black goat not much bigger than a dog, 00:09:38.790 --> 00:09:40.680 align:middle line:84% was sniffing around Myrtle's old card table 00:09:40.680 --> 00:09:43.520 align:middle line:84% as if she would much rather nibble at the costume jewelry, 00:09:43.520 --> 00:09:48.210 align:middle line:84% mostly imitation pearls, Myrtle's one area of expertise. 00:09:48.210 --> 00:09:50.580 align:middle line:84% Myrtle was a tiny redhead in her early 60s 00:09:50.580 --> 00:09:52.890 align:middle line:84% who had no intention of letting age or anything else 00:09:52.890 --> 00:09:54.510 align:middle line:90% get in the way of pleasure. 00:09:54.510 --> 00:09:57.060 align:middle line:84% She lived on cheerios, except on the rare occasions 00:09:57.060 --> 00:10:00.030 align:middle line:84% when her boyfriend Wendell could be persuaded to take her out 00:10:00.030 --> 00:10:02.100 align:middle line:90% for a fast food feast. 00:10:02.100 --> 00:10:04.170 align:middle line:84% Wendy's was her favorite feasting place 00:10:04.170 --> 00:10:05.645 align:middle line:84% but Wendell was not a big spender 00:10:05.645 --> 00:10:07.770 align:middle line:84% and would only pop for Wendy's about once a month-- 00:10:07.770 --> 00:10:10.560 align:middle line:84% Wendy's about once a month, which was for that 00:10:10.560 --> 00:10:12.810 align:middle line:84% matter about as often as Myrtle had any intention 00:10:12.810 --> 00:10:13.768 align:middle line:90% of popping for Wendell. 00:10:13.768 --> 00:10:18.448 align:middle line:90% 00:10:18.448 --> 00:10:20.740 align:middle line:84% "He's too old, and any way, he's got that tricky back," 00:10:20.740 --> 00:10:23.700 align:middle line:90% Myrtle said in her own defense. 00:10:23.700 --> 00:10:25.530 align:middle line:84% Wendell was on the pool maintenance crew 00:10:25.530 --> 00:10:27.570 align:middle line:84% at the MGM Grand which in Myrtle's view 00:10:27.570 --> 00:10:30.360 align:middle line:84% contributed to his sexual discontent. 00:10:30.360 --> 00:10:32.700 align:middle line:84% "Sure he sees them gals with their floppies hanging out, 00:10:32.700 --> 00:10:34.575 align:middle line:84% what else would he come home thinking about?" 00:10:34.575 --> 00:10:36.240 align:middle line:90% Myrtle said. 00:10:36.240 --> 00:10:38.100 align:middle line:84% Harmony's private opinion was that Myrtle 00:10:38.100 --> 00:10:39.630 align:middle line:90% took advantage of Windell. 00:10:39.630 --> 00:10:42.485 align:middle line:84% The sweet gray headed man with a big belly and sad eyes who 00:10:42.485 --> 00:10:44.940 align:middle line:84% had never meant to stay in Las Vegas in the first place, 00:10:44.940 --> 00:10:47.550 align:middle line:84% he had just come out and gotten stuck. 00:10:47.550 --> 00:10:50.130 align:middle line:84% His son had killed himself because of gayness, at least 00:10:50.130 --> 00:10:52.500 align:middle line:84% that was Gary's angle on it, and Wendell's wife 00:10:52.500 --> 00:10:55.710 align:middle line:84% had divorced him and married a fireman. 00:10:55.710 --> 00:10:58.050 align:middle line:84% It had left Wendell with such a sad look in his eyes 00:10:58.050 --> 00:11:00.150 align:middle line:84% that Harmony could barely stand it. 00:11:00.150 --> 00:11:02.580 align:middle line:84% The sadness of men, once it got into their eyes, 00:11:02.580 --> 00:11:03.840 align:middle line:90% affected her a lot. 00:11:03.840 --> 00:11:05.820 align:middle line:84% She sort of couldn't bear it and would usually 00:11:05.820 --> 00:11:10.650 align:middle line:84% try and make it go away if the circumstances permitted her to. 00:11:10.650 --> 00:11:13.380 align:middle line:84% Often they didn't but sometimes they did. 00:11:13.380 --> 00:11:15.630 align:middle line:84% It was mainly a desire to kiss their sadness away 00:11:15.630 --> 00:11:17.910 align:middle line:84% that it caused her to bring so many of them home. 00:11:17.910 --> 00:11:20.400 align:middle line:84% A habit she knew Pepper didn't appreciate but then Pepper 00:11:20.400 --> 00:11:23.310 align:middle line:84% wasn't even old enough to notice the sadness in men 00:11:23.310 --> 00:11:26.070 align:middle line:84% or if she noticed, she wasn't too sympathetic. 00:11:26.070 --> 00:11:29.072 align:middle line:84% Harmony was though, sad eyes men just got to her. 00:11:29.072 --> 00:11:31.530 align:middle line:84% She could rarely keep it from happening and might not could 00:11:31.530 --> 00:11:33.853 align:middle line:90% have even kept-- might not-- 00:11:33.853 --> 00:11:36.270 align:middle line:84% could even have kept it from happening with Wendell had it 00:11:36.270 --> 00:11:38.070 align:middle line:84% not been that Myrtle was usually sitting there 00:11:38.070 --> 00:11:39.900 align:middle line:84% in the cool of the garage in her lawn chair 00:11:39.900 --> 00:11:41.790 align:middle line:84% waiting for one last customer to come by 00:11:41.790 --> 00:11:44.280 align:middle line:84% and snap up some imitation pearls. 00:11:44.280 --> 00:11:46.260 align:middle line:84% Wendell didn't talk much, he mostly just stood 00:11:46.260 --> 00:11:48.405 align:middle line:84% around looking down at his feet, unless Myrtle 00:11:48.405 --> 00:11:51.030 align:middle line:84% was in such a good mood that she brought out one of the kitchen 00:11:51.030 --> 00:11:52.985 align:middle line:90% chairs for him to sit in. 00:11:52.985 --> 00:11:54.360 align:middle line:84% Harmony would look out her window 00:11:54.360 --> 00:11:56.880 align:middle line:84% and see him standing there and think, oh Wendell, 00:11:56.880 --> 00:11:58.770 align:middle line:90% she couldn't help it. 00:11:58.770 --> 00:12:01.050 align:middle line:84% Unhappiness just made her feel tender. 00:12:01.050 --> 00:12:02.550 align:middle line:84% When she saw a guy looking that way, 00:12:02.550 --> 00:12:05.217 align:middle line:84% she wanted to maybe just lay her palm against his cheek or maybe 00:12:05.217 --> 00:12:07.380 align:middle line:84% a kiss, something to let him know her heart 00:12:07.380 --> 00:12:10.320 align:middle line:84% did sort of go out to him even if she didn't understand 00:12:10.320 --> 00:12:12.630 align:middle line:90% precisely why he looked sad. 00:12:12.630 --> 00:12:15.793 align:middle line:84% Old or young, fat or thin, didn't matter so much. 00:12:15.793 --> 00:12:17.460 align:middle line:84% Although definitely fat rather than thin 00:12:17.460 --> 00:12:18.930 align:middle line:90% if she was given a choice. 00:12:18.930 --> 00:12:20.907 align:middle line:84% She was not so drawn to the skinny guys, 00:12:20.907 --> 00:12:22.740 align:middle line:84% it was just that she sometimes got the sense 00:12:22.740 --> 00:12:24.120 align:middle line:90% that she overwhelmed them. 00:12:24.120 --> 00:12:26.430 align:middle line:84% After all, she was pretty tall and had a good bust 00:12:26.430 --> 00:12:27.930 align:middle line:84% and a few of them had sort of seemed 00:12:27.930 --> 00:12:31.080 align:middle line:84% to feel that they might be smothered. 00:12:31.080 --> 00:12:33.240 align:middle line:84% Also, her preference for the husky ones 00:12:33.240 --> 00:12:35.700 align:middle line:84% might have had something to do with Didier, 00:12:35.700 --> 00:12:39.780 align:middle line:84% who had given her first job at the Trop when she was only 17 00:12:39.780 --> 00:12:42.060 align:middle line:90% but a lot more mature. 00:12:42.060 --> 00:12:44.460 align:middle line:90% Wait a minute, yeah, OK. 00:12:44.460 --> 00:12:46.912 align:middle line:84% She had always thought Tropicana was a wonderful name. 00:12:46.912 --> 00:12:48.870 align:middle line:84% When she was younger, just saying it or hearing 00:12:48.870 --> 00:12:51.600 align:middle line:84% it mentioned on the radio made her feel romantic so 00:12:51.600 --> 00:12:54.240 align:middle line:84% that when she got off the bus in Las Vegas the first time, 00:12:54.240 --> 00:12:57.337 align:middle line:84% all that she did was walk right up the street and look at it. 00:12:57.337 --> 00:12:58.920 align:middle line:84% And about three months later just when 00:12:58.920 --> 00:13:00.295 align:middle line:84% she thought she was going to have 00:13:00.295 --> 00:13:03.210 align:middle line:84% to be a waitress her whole life, there was an audition 00:13:03.210 --> 00:13:04.770 align:middle line:84% and she got up her nerve and Didier 00:13:04.770 --> 00:13:07.470 align:middle line:84% hired her right away and then fell in love with her, 00:13:07.470 --> 00:13:10.350 align:middle line:84% although he was 64 at the time and was a producer of the show 00:13:10.350 --> 00:13:11.778 align:middle line:90% and very busy. 00:13:11.778 --> 00:13:13.320 align:middle line:84% She had even got to live in his suite 00:13:13.320 --> 00:13:16.590 align:middle line:84% at the Trop, which was a pretty big change from life in Tulsa 00:13:16.590 --> 00:13:17.940 align:middle line:90% where she grew up. 00:13:17.940 --> 00:13:20.790 align:middle line:84% Probably it was Didier who got her to liking fat men. 00:13:20.790 --> 00:13:22.470 align:middle line:84% He was French and used to good food 00:13:22.470 --> 00:13:25.000 align:middle line:84% and was so fat he was dangerous to himself. 00:13:25.000 --> 00:13:27.000 align:middle line:84% Which was proved for sure about six months later 00:13:27.000 --> 00:13:29.190 align:middle line:84% when he died in bed one morning while Harmony 00:13:29.190 --> 00:13:32.610 align:middle line:84% was downstairs unwinding with some of the girls. 00:13:32.610 --> 00:13:36.240 align:middle line:84% It was her first death, she was not experienced with it at all. 00:13:36.240 --> 00:13:38.820 align:middle line:84% She had come in meaning to give Didier a kiss 00:13:38.820 --> 00:13:41.190 align:middle line:84% and saw that he was dead, only she couldn't admit it 00:13:41.190 --> 00:13:43.552 align:middle line:84% right away, couldn't admit it one bit. 00:13:43.552 --> 00:13:45.510 align:middle line:84% And went on and took her makeup off and looked, 00:13:45.510 --> 00:13:48.933 align:middle line:84% and Didier was dead, OK, though she still couldn't admit it. 00:13:48.933 --> 00:13:50.850 align:middle line:84% Maybe not for an hour until she thought, well, 00:13:50.850 --> 00:13:52.650 align:middle line:84% I guess now I'll order some breakfast. 00:13:52.650 --> 00:13:54.750 align:middle line:84% So she did and Jimmy came up with it, 00:13:54.750 --> 00:13:56.970 align:middle line:84% they always sent Jimmy because Didier was fussy 00:13:56.970 --> 00:13:58.050 align:middle line:90% about his food. 00:13:58.050 --> 00:14:00.510 align:middle line:84% He was fussy about everything actually but particularly 00:14:00.510 --> 00:14:01.578 align:middle line:90% about his food. 00:14:01.578 --> 00:14:03.120 align:middle line:84% When Jimmy came in with the breakfast 00:14:03.120 --> 00:14:06.330 align:middle line:84% and sat around waiting to serve it and she just said, 00:14:06.330 --> 00:14:07.680 align:middle line:90% "Could you go look at him?" 00:14:07.680 --> 00:14:10.630 align:middle line:84% Which surprised Jimmy, that was a little unusual. 00:14:10.630 --> 00:14:13.560 align:middle line:84% And he looked and came back and said, Harmony, he's dead, 00:14:13.560 --> 00:14:16.770 align:middle line:84% which was when she admitted it and started to cry. 00:14:16.770 --> 00:14:19.680 align:middle line:84% Years later, Jimmy's wife who by his own admission 00:14:19.680 --> 00:14:22.590 align:middle line:84% had been a hooker once, went back to her old habits. 00:14:22.590 --> 00:14:25.200 align:middle line:84% Only she took it further and stole some guy's wallet 00:14:25.200 --> 00:14:26.940 align:middle line:84% and he turned out to be pretty big time 00:14:26.940 --> 00:14:29.280 align:middle line:84% and the wallet had a few thousand dollars in it. 00:14:29.280 --> 00:14:31.710 align:middle line:84% So she got sent to prison and Harmony was driving along 00:14:31.710 --> 00:14:33.877 align:middle line:84% the strip one day and happened to see Jimmy standing 00:14:33.877 --> 00:14:35.970 align:middle line:84% at the bus stop in front of the Circus Circus 00:14:35.970 --> 00:14:38.985 align:middle line:84% looking so sad that she just immediately took him home. 00:14:38.985 --> 00:14:40.860 align:middle line:84% Only the problem was that all they could ever 00:14:40.860 --> 00:14:43.350 align:middle line:84% find to talk about was the morning Didier died. 00:14:43.350 --> 00:14:46.590 align:middle line:84% It was not a basis for a relationship, they concluded. 00:14:46.590 --> 00:14:48.970 align:middle line:84% Although Harmony had no regrets about trying it, 00:14:48.970 --> 00:14:51.000 align:middle line:84% she had for sure tried worse than Jimmy. 00:14:51.000 --> 00:14:52.888 align:middle line:84% He was from San Francisco and dressed nice 00:14:52.888 --> 00:14:54.555 align:middle line:84% and would definitely spend his last dime 00:14:54.555 --> 00:14:56.888 align:middle line:84% if it was something she and Pepper needed for the house, 00:14:56.888 --> 00:14:59.580 align:middle line:90% for doctor bills or whatever. 00:14:59.580 --> 00:15:01.740 align:middle line:84% Still it was Didier she remembered every time 00:15:01.740 --> 00:15:03.750 align:middle line:84% she saw Wendell standing in Myrtle's driveway 00:15:03.750 --> 00:15:04.860 align:middle line:90% looking down at his feet. 00:15:04.860 --> 00:15:07.770 align:middle line:84% It had to be the big belly that caused it to be reminded, 00:15:07.770 --> 00:15:10.056 align:middle line:90% they were otherwise not alike. 00:15:10.056 --> 00:15:12.540 align:middle line:90% Now, I want to skip a bit. 00:15:12.540 --> 00:15:15.320 align:middle line:90% 00:15:15.320 --> 00:15:17.790 align:middle line:90% Now here's Myrtle. 00:15:17.790 --> 00:15:19.320 align:middle line:84% Myrtle looked up from her cheerios 00:15:19.320 --> 00:15:20.940 align:middle line:84% and saw Harmony but no car, which 00:15:20.940 --> 00:15:23.190 align:middle line:84% was a shock but secondary to finding out if there were 00:15:23.190 --> 00:15:26.310 align:middle line:84% any garage sales on that day that offered 00:15:26.310 --> 00:15:28.020 align:middle line:90% goodies she had urgent need of. 00:15:28.020 --> 00:15:29.580 align:middle line:84% Harmony pitched her the morning paper 00:15:29.580 --> 00:15:31.950 align:middle line:84% and squatted down to say good morning to Maude, knowing full 00:15:31.950 --> 00:15:33.617 align:middle line:84% well that Myrtle wouldn't even say hello 00:15:33.617 --> 00:15:36.150 align:middle line:84% until she had checked the garage sale ads. 00:15:36.150 --> 00:15:38.160 align:middle line:84% Maude was nibbling the bottom of the card table. 00:15:38.160 --> 00:15:40.660 align:middle line:84% When Harmony made her stop, she gave an annoyed little bleat 00:15:40.660 --> 00:15:42.930 align:middle line:84% and ran back in the garage to sulk. 00:15:42.930 --> 00:15:44.040 align:middle line:90% "Oh Maude, don't be mad. 00:15:44.040 --> 00:15:46.380 align:middle line:84% It's such a pretty day," Harmony said. 00:15:46.380 --> 00:15:48.960 align:middle line:84% The want ads were a cruel disappointment, all the garage 00:15:48.960 --> 00:15:50.640 align:middle line:84% sales being continuations of the ones 00:15:50.640 --> 00:15:52.740 align:middle line:84% she had already been to, at least once 00:15:52.740 --> 00:15:54.390 align:middle line:90% if not several times. 00:15:54.390 --> 00:15:56.070 align:middle line:84% Myrtle tossed the paper aside and began 00:15:56.070 --> 00:15:58.770 align:middle line:84% trying to get resigned to sitting and waiting. 00:15:58.770 --> 00:16:00.960 align:middle line:84% "If that goat was to have to wait for a cloudy day 00:16:00.960 --> 00:16:03.360 align:middle line:84% to get her feelings hurt, she'd be out of luck," Myrtle said. 00:16:03.360 --> 00:16:04.860 align:middle line:84% "I hope you didn't forget the vodka, 00:16:04.860 --> 00:16:06.600 align:middle line:84% this one's going to be a long one." 00:16:06.600 --> 00:16:08.850 align:middle line:84% "I didn't forget it, I just left it in the back seat," 00:16:08.850 --> 00:16:10.100 align:middle line:90% Harmoney said. 00:16:10.100 --> 00:16:11.850 align:middle line:84% On her days at home, Myrtle had a tendency 00:16:11.850 --> 00:16:14.640 align:middle line:84% to get looped after which if a customer irritated her 00:16:14.640 --> 00:16:17.160 align:middle line:84% by trying to bargain, she might capriciously 00:16:17.160 --> 00:16:19.740 align:middle line:84% double the price of everything in the sale. 00:16:19.740 --> 00:16:21.930 align:middle line:84% Myrtle had worked as a checker at the Safeway 00:16:21.930 --> 00:16:24.150 align:middle line:84% for 25 years, during which time she had often 00:16:24.150 --> 00:16:25.650 align:middle line:84% had the desire to double the prices 00:16:25.650 --> 00:16:27.450 align:middle line:84% when a snotty customer came along. 00:16:27.450 --> 00:16:31.050 align:middle line:90% 00:16:31.050 --> 00:16:35.910 align:middle line:84% And then pretty soon after this, Harmony's terrible boyfriend 00:16:35.910 --> 00:16:37.500 align:middle line:84% comes and steals the insurance check 00:16:37.500 --> 00:16:39.240 align:middle line:84% that's supposed to pay for the Pontiac 00:16:39.240 --> 00:16:42.930 align:middle line:84% that he had just wrecked, and Harmony is very upset by this 00:16:42.930 --> 00:16:44.838 align:middle line:90% and comes home and tells Myrtle. 00:16:44.838 --> 00:16:46.380 align:middle line:84% Myrtle had been in a fret about Maude 00:16:46.380 --> 00:16:47.730 align:middle line:84% but when she heard what had happened, 00:16:47.730 --> 00:16:49.950 align:middle line:84% that is the theft of the check, she forgot about that 00:16:49.950 --> 00:16:51.750 align:middle line:84% and came right over, looped as she was, 00:16:51.750 --> 00:16:53.583 align:middle line:90% and started offering advice. 00:16:53.583 --> 00:16:55.500 align:middle line:84% All of it having to do with calling the police 00:16:55.500 --> 00:16:57.600 align:middle line:84% and getting criminal charges started. 00:16:57.600 --> 00:16:59.490 align:middle line:84% Harmony thought of calling Gary but he seldom 00:16:59.490 --> 00:17:00.948 align:middle line:84% got up before 4:00 in the afternoon 00:17:00.948 --> 00:17:02.920 align:middle line:90% and it wasn't 4:00 yet. 00:17:02.920 --> 00:17:05.369 align:middle line:84% So instead she let Myrtle call Wendell to get his opinion 00:17:05.369 --> 00:17:07.790 align:middle line:84% but he was on his coffee break and nobody could find him. 00:17:07.790 --> 00:17:09.540 align:middle line:84% It for some reason caused Myrtle to assume 00:17:09.540 --> 00:17:11.910 align:middle line:84% he was having an affair with the bathing beauty. 00:17:11.910 --> 00:17:14.130 align:middle line:84% She often got a little insecure when she was drunk 00:17:14.130 --> 00:17:17.040 align:middle line:84% and imagined that Wendell was having affairs with women he 00:17:17.040 --> 00:17:18.964 align:middle line:90% had practically never even met. 00:17:18.964 --> 00:17:20.339 align:middle line:84% Harmony got the phone long enough 00:17:20.339 --> 00:17:21.881 align:middle line:84% to call the insurance company and ask 00:17:21.881 --> 00:17:23.875 align:middle line:84% him to please stop payment on the cheque 00:17:23.875 --> 00:17:25.500 align:middle line:84% but the girl she got was cross with her 00:17:25.500 --> 00:17:28.200 align:middle line:84% because she didn't know her policy number, though she 00:17:28.200 --> 00:17:30.920 align:middle line:84% could have probably found it given a little time. 00:17:30.920 --> 00:17:33.420 align:middle line:84% Then Myrtle got on the phone again and somebody at the Grand 00:17:33.420 --> 00:17:36.030 align:middle line:84% finally located Wendell but instead of asking his advice, 00:17:36.030 --> 00:17:37.710 align:middle line:84% Myrtle spent 15 minutes grilling him 00:17:37.710 --> 00:17:40.530 align:middle line:84% about how he spent every second of his coffee break 00:17:40.530 --> 00:17:42.003 align:middle line:84% and then totally forgot to ask him 00:17:42.003 --> 00:17:43.920 align:middle line:84% what he would do if someone stole an insurance 00:17:43.920 --> 00:17:44.773 align:middle line:90% check from him. 00:17:44.773 --> 00:17:47.190 align:middle line:84% So it was clear that Wendell had been completely innocent, 00:17:47.190 --> 00:17:48.690 align:middle line:84% he didn't have the effect of getting 00:17:48.690 --> 00:17:50.025 align:middle line:90% Myrtle in a better mood. 00:17:50.025 --> 00:17:51.900 align:middle line:84% "Myrtle, you ought to be glad he's faithful," 00:17:51.900 --> 00:17:53.693 align:middle line:84% Harmony said, forgetting her own troubles 00:17:53.693 --> 00:17:55.110 align:middle line:84% for a second to marvel at the fact 00:17:55.110 --> 00:17:56.910 align:middle line:84% that Myrtle had managed to get angry at Wendell 00:17:56.910 --> 00:17:58.910 align:middle line:84% for not having an affair with the bathing beauty 00:17:58.910 --> 00:18:00.832 align:middle line:90% during his coffee break. 00:18:00.832 --> 00:18:03.040 align:middle line:84% "Well, he don't even have the guts to get in trouble, 00:18:03.040 --> 00:18:05.580 align:middle line:84% I think I'm losing interest," Myrtle said. 00:18:05.580 --> 00:18:07.860 align:middle line:84% She went back over to her house to get her drink 00:18:07.860 --> 00:18:12.090 align:middle line:84% and apparently went to sleep because she never came back. 00:18:12.090 --> 00:18:13.830 align:middle line:84% Later in the day, they go to pick up, she 00:18:13.830 --> 00:18:15.990 align:middle line:84% and Gary, the wardrobe man, go to pick up Jessie 00:18:15.990 --> 00:18:18.550 align:middle line:84% to go to work, it's about 7:00 o'clock now. 00:18:18.550 --> 00:18:20.760 align:middle line:84% Jessie lived in the sand colored apartment building 00:18:20.760 --> 00:18:22.785 align:middle line:84% across the road from the Desert Inn. 00:18:22.785 --> 00:18:25.410 align:middle line:84% Sure enough when they got there, Jessie had been to the dentist 00:18:25.410 --> 00:18:27.802 align:middle line:84% that day so they knew she was going to be in bad shape. 00:18:27.802 --> 00:18:30.010 align:middle line:84% Sure enough when they got there, Jessie was in tears. 00:18:30.010 --> 00:18:32.460 align:middle line:84% She was sitting out on her tiny balcony in her bathrobe 00:18:32.460 --> 00:18:35.640 align:middle line:84% crying and then dropping wet Kleenex beside her chair. 00:18:35.640 --> 00:18:37.440 align:middle line:84% "Look at that, a pyramid of wet Kleenex," 00:18:37.440 --> 00:18:39.180 align:middle line:90% Gary said trying to joke. 00:18:39.180 --> 00:18:41.310 align:middle line:84% "You girls will be lucky not to both get fired, you 00:18:41.310 --> 00:18:43.500 align:middle line:84% both certainly ruined your eyes." 00:18:43.500 --> 00:18:45.930 align:middle line:84% Jessie was a beautiful woman, an inch taller than Harmony 00:18:45.930 --> 00:18:48.840 align:middle line:84% but not confident, and was actually not diplomatic of Gary 00:18:48.840 --> 00:18:52.920 align:middle line:84% to mention firing since that was what Jessie lived in dread of. 00:18:52.920 --> 00:18:54.600 align:middle line:84% In all she had had three operations 00:18:54.600 --> 00:18:56.550 align:middle line:84% on her breast, one of which was a disaster. 00:18:56.550 --> 00:18:59.092 align:middle line:84% They had done a tuck wrong or something and when it was over, 00:18:59.092 --> 00:19:01.320 align:middle line:84% her nipples pointed straight down. 00:19:01.320 --> 00:19:03.570 align:middle line:84% Fortunately that was correctable or Jessie would never 00:19:03.570 --> 00:19:05.280 align:middle line:90% have worked another day. 00:19:05.280 --> 00:19:07.673 align:middle line:84% Even so, she was paranoid about her scars which 00:19:07.673 --> 00:19:09.840 align:middle line:84% were up under her breasts and hardly noticeable even 00:19:09.840 --> 00:19:12.228 align:middle line:84% in the dressing room, much less to the audience. 00:19:12.228 --> 00:19:13.020 align:middle line:90% "What's the matter? 00:19:13.020 --> 00:19:14.070 align:middle line:90% Did the novocain hurt?" 00:19:14.070 --> 00:19:15.510 align:middle line:90% Harmony asked. 00:19:15.510 --> 00:19:17.730 align:middle line:84% "Yes, but that's not the terrible part," Jessie said. 00:19:17.730 --> 00:19:20.940 align:middle line:84% "He says I may have to have two root canals." 00:19:20.940 --> 00:19:23.040 align:middle line:84% That was pretty sobering, a root canal for Jessie 00:19:23.040 --> 00:19:25.700 align:middle line:84% would be the equivalent of open heart surgery for most people, 00:19:25.700 --> 00:19:28.500 align:middle line:84% she was just not up to dealing with much pain. 00:19:28.500 --> 00:19:29.940 align:middle line:84% Jessie's apartment was a mess, she 00:19:29.940 --> 00:19:32.250 align:middle line:84% got around the basic matters like making her bed only 00:19:32.250 --> 00:19:33.780 align:middle line:90% about once a week. 00:19:33.780 --> 00:19:36.180 align:middle line:84% The side of it always brought out the housewife in Gary, 00:19:36.180 --> 00:19:38.970 align:middle line:84% he went around picking up beer bottles and emptying ashtrays. 00:19:38.970 --> 00:19:42.060 align:middle line:84% Jessie didn't smoke but Monroe was seldom without a cigar. 00:19:42.060 --> 00:19:46.002 align:middle line:84% Monroe who runs a muffler shop is Jessie's boyfriend. 00:19:46.002 --> 00:19:48.210 align:middle line:84% Harmony didn't know what to say about the root canal, 00:19:48.210 --> 00:19:50.127 align:middle line:84% so when it happens they were all going to have 00:19:50.127 --> 00:19:51.540 align:middle line:90% to be very supportive for sure. 00:19:51.540 --> 00:19:53.490 align:middle line:84% While she was trying to think of something a little bit 00:19:53.490 --> 00:19:54.840 align:middle line:84% cheerful she could say to Jessie, 00:19:54.840 --> 00:19:56.340 align:middle line:84% she wandered into the bedroom to see 00:19:56.340 --> 00:19:59.220 align:middle line:84% if Jessie had got any new stuffed animals recently, 00:19:59.220 --> 00:20:02.870 align:middle line:84% and woke up Francois, Jessie's miniature black poodle 00:20:02.870 --> 00:20:06.180 align:middle line:84% who had been napping beside a stuffed raccoon. 00:20:06.180 --> 00:20:08.340 align:middle line:84% Jessie was totally vulnerable to stuffed animals, 00:20:08.340 --> 00:20:11.100 align:middle line:84% she would buy any species not already in her collection. 00:20:11.100 --> 00:20:13.560 align:middle line:84% She had about 100 arranged along one wall of the bedroom 00:20:13.560 --> 00:20:15.570 align:middle line:90% plus several on her bed. 00:20:15.570 --> 00:20:17.048 align:middle line:84% A stranger just walking in probably 00:20:17.048 --> 00:20:18.840 align:middle line:84% would have thought Francois was stuffed too 00:20:18.840 --> 00:20:20.970 align:middle line:90% but in fact he was a live dog. 00:20:20.970 --> 00:20:22.440 align:middle line:84% And the minute Harmony woke him up 00:20:22.440 --> 00:20:24.523 align:middle line:84% he began to yip and jump around on the bed wanting 00:20:24.523 --> 00:20:26.100 align:middle line:90% to be picked up and cuddled. 00:20:26.100 --> 00:20:27.690 align:middle line:84% Jessie loved Francois more than she 00:20:27.690 --> 00:20:29.520 align:middle line:90% loved Monroe or anyone else. 00:20:29.520 --> 00:20:31.123 align:middle line:84% Naturally he was extremely spoiled 00:20:31.123 --> 00:20:32.540 align:middle line:84% and got very outraged if he didn't 00:20:32.540 --> 00:20:34.700 align:middle line:84% get whatever he wanted instantly, 00:20:34.700 --> 00:20:35.930 align:middle line:90% fortunately he was cute. 00:20:35.930 --> 00:20:38.270 align:middle line:84% Harmony enjoyed cuddling him herself 00:20:38.270 --> 00:20:40.970 align:middle line:84% and took him over and set him on top of a stuffed hippopotamus, 00:20:40.970 --> 00:20:42.710 align:middle line:84% supposedly a third life size that 00:20:42.710 --> 00:20:46.418 align:middle line:84% was by far the most expensive of all Jessie's stuffed animals. 00:20:46.418 --> 00:20:48.710 align:middle line:84% Once for about two weeks Jessie had gotten a boyfriend, 00:20:48.710 --> 00:20:50.330 align:middle line:90% he was sort of a high roller. 00:20:50.330 --> 00:20:52.580 align:middle line:84% He was from Texas and very excited about the fact 00:20:52.580 --> 00:20:55.167 align:middle line:84% that he had actually seduced a showgirl. 00:20:55.167 --> 00:20:56.750 align:middle line:84% He had been generous enough to buy her 00:20:56.750 --> 00:21:00.890 align:middle line:84% the hippo which cost $600 before he went back to his wife. 00:21:00.890 --> 00:21:03.440 align:middle line:84% Now Jessie had her heart set on a stuffed polar bear that 00:21:03.440 --> 00:21:05.522 align:middle line:84% was about as large as the hippo but there 00:21:05.522 --> 00:21:07.730 align:middle line:84% was widespread agreement that she would be lucky ever 00:21:07.730 --> 00:21:09.650 align:middle line:84% to get the polar bear, certainly Monroe 00:21:09.650 --> 00:21:12.110 align:middle line:90% wasn't going to pop for it. 00:21:12.110 --> 00:21:16.850 align:middle line:84% Well, enough of Jessie for the moment. 00:21:16.850 --> 00:21:21.290 align:middle line:84% That very night during the second show, 00:21:21.290 --> 00:21:23.720 align:middle line:90% something bad happens. 00:21:23.720 --> 00:21:27.440 align:middle line:84% Jessie and Harmony are the two showgirls. 00:21:27.440 --> 00:21:29.060 align:middle line:84% In some of the shows in Las Vegas 00:21:29.060 --> 00:21:31.850 align:middle line:84% there will be two showgirls who come down on disk 00:21:31.850 --> 00:21:34.875 align:middle line:90% from out of the sky as it were. 00:21:34.875 --> 00:21:37.250 align:middle line:84% And for all the years that they've been working together, 00:21:37.250 --> 00:21:39.080 align:middle line:84% Harmony has been on one disk and Jessie 00:21:39.080 --> 00:21:40.520 align:middle line:90% has been on the other disk. 00:21:40.520 --> 00:21:43.640 align:middle line:84% Well, as the lights are coming, as the finale is in progress 00:21:43.640 --> 00:21:46.970 align:middle line:84% on the second show and the disk are just starting up, 00:21:46.970 --> 00:21:49.940 align:middle line:84% Jessie's disk breaks and then she falls. 00:21:49.940 --> 00:21:53.540 align:middle line:84% And she's not very high and she doesn't hurt herself very badly 00:21:53.540 --> 00:21:55.370 align:middle line:90% but she does break her ankle. 00:21:55.370 --> 00:21:57.320 align:middle line:90% And we pick them up-- 00:21:57.320 --> 00:22:03.470 align:middle line:84% they pick them up as they're riding toward the hospital 00:22:03.470 --> 00:22:05.480 align:middle line:90% in the ambulance. 00:22:05.480 --> 00:22:07.340 align:middle line:84% Harmony just sat and held her hand 00:22:07.340 --> 00:22:10.310 align:middle line:84% then one of the young guys in the ambulance got bored 00:22:10.310 --> 00:22:11.990 align:middle line:84% and decided to come back for a chat. 00:22:11.990 --> 00:22:13.520 align:middle line:84% It was probably not every night he 00:22:13.520 --> 00:22:15.740 align:middle line:84% got to haul two show girls around. 00:22:15.740 --> 00:22:18.380 align:middle line:84% He was sort of fat and had a jolly grin, his name was Jerry, 00:22:18.380 --> 00:22:20.180 align:middle line:84% and he told him about various disasters 00:22:20.180 --> 00:22:21.890 align:middle line:90% he had been to the scene of. 00:22:21.890 --> 00:22:23.330 align:middle line:84% He said he had grown up in Barstow 00:22:23.330 --> 00:22:25.038 align:middle line:84% and had started being an ambulance driver 00:22:25.038 --> 00:22:26.640 align:middle line:84% when he was still in high school. 00:22:26.640 --> 00:22:28.640 align:middle line:84% He told them about one particularly horrible car 00:22:28.640 --> 00:22:30.890 align:middle line:84% wreck in which a person had been totally decapitated, 00:22:30.890 --> 00:22:32.900 align:middle line:90% the head was never found. 00:22:32.900 --> 00:22:35.450 align:middle line:84% He made such a good story of it that it took Jessie's mind 00:22:35.450 --> 00:22:39.140 align:middle line:84% off the end of her career for a few seconds at least. 00:22:39.140 --> 00:22:41.390 align:middle line:84% Meanwhile, they were just driving slowly up the strip, 00:22:41.390 --> 00:22:43.430 align:middle line:84% the driver didn't seem to be in any hurry. 00:22:43.430 --> 00:22:45.110 align:middle line:84% Harmony could see out the back window. 00:22:45.110 --> 00:22:47.270 align:middle line:84% Lots of couples were strolling along enjoying 00:22:47.270 --> 00:22:48.440 align:middle line:90% the pretty night. 00:22:48.440 --> 00:22:49.760 align:middle line:90% She sort of felt a pang. 00:22:49.760 --> 00:22:51.440 align:middle line:84% It would be nice to be part of a couple, 00:22:51.440 --> 00:22:53.120 align:middle line:84% at least have someone to hold hands 00:22:53.120 --> 00:22:54.887 align:middle line:90% with if you were taking a walk. 00:22:54.887 --> 00:22:57.345 align:middle line:84% Of course, she had been part of a couple quite a few times, 00:22:57.345 --> 00:22:59.540 align:middle line:84% it was not as if she had lived like an old maid, 00:22:59.540 --> 00:23:01.910 align:middle line:84% it was just that the guys kept slipping on by. 00:23:01.910 --> 00:23:04.550 align:middle line:84% The day would come and there would be nobody in bed 00:23:04.550 --> 00:23:09.030 align:middle line:84% nor even to hold hands with on a walk if it was a nice night. 00:23:09.030 --> 00:23:11.240 align:middle line:84% "If they give me ether, will you call Monroe? 00:23:11.240 --> 00:23:13.138 align:middle line:90% Nobody did," Jessie said. 00:23:13.138 --> 00:23:14.430 align:middle line:90% "Why would they give you ether? 00:23:14.430 --> 00:23:16.392 align:middle line:84% It's just your ankle," Harmony asked. 00:23:16.392 --> 00:23:18.350 align:middle line:84% One of Jessie's problems was that she had never 00:23:18.350 --> 00:23:20.370 align:middle line:84% gotten over having her tonsils out; 00:23:20.370 --> 00:23:22.350 align:middle line:84% it had been a difficult tonsillectomy. 00:23:22.350 --> 00:23:23.900 align:middle line:84% She'd had to have ether twice and it 00:23:23.900 --> 00:23:26.150 align:middle line:84% had left her with the horror of having things put over 00:23:26.150 --> 00:23:26.863 align:middle line:90% her nose. 00:23:26.863 --> 00:23:28.280 align:middle line:84% "Now, don't you worry, pretty soon 00:23:28.280 --> 00:23:31.227 align:middle line:84% they'll have artificial ankles anyway," Jerry said. 00:23:31.227 --> 00:23:33.560 align:middle line:84% He said it was amazing what they could do with plastics. 00:23:33.560 --> 00:23:35.810 align:middle line:84% One woman who'd been in a disaster he had handled even 00:23:35.810 --> 00:23:37.400 align:middle line:90% had a plastic hip. 00:23:37.400 --> 00:23:39.320 align:middle line:84% Jerry said he subscribed to a magazine that 00:23:39.320 --> 00:23:41.150 align:middle line:84% was totally devoted to artificial limbs 00:23:41.150 --> 00:23:43.820 align:middle line:84% and organs and stuff, he said he liked to keep up 00:23:43.820 --> 00:23:44.780 align:middle line:90% with recent advances. 00:23:44.780 --> 00:23:46.280 align:middle line:84% Sometimes it was a comfort to people 00:23:46.280 --> 00:23:49.463 align:middle line:84% who had just been mangled if the ambulance driver could inform 00:23:49.463 --> 00:23:51.380 align:middle line:84% them that it didn't mean the end of their life 00:23:51.380 --> 00:23:54.650 align:middle line:84% just because they lost a limb or had an organ a little damaged. 00:23:54.650 --> 00:23:57.500 align:middle line:84% They really could do amazing things with plastics. 00:23:57.500 --> 00:23:59.030 align:middle line:84% Harmony began to sort of wish Jerry 00:23:59.030 --> 00:24:00.260 align:middle line:90% hadn't bothered to come back. 00:24:00.260 --> 00:24:03.930 align:middle line:84% Not only was he not making Jessie feel any better, 00:24:03.930 --> 00:24:05.930 align:middle line:84% he wasn't improving her mood either. 00:24:05.930 --> 00:24:09.410 align:middle line:84% Plus, it was clear he was a guy who was easily turned on. 00:24:09.410 --> 00:24:12.380 align:middle line:84% Harmony decided he was about to ask one or both of them 00:24:12.380 --> 00:24:14.390 align:middle line:84% for a date, he definitely had that look, 00:24:14.390 --> 00:24:15.920 align:middle line:84% but luckily they got to the hospital 00:24:15.920 --> 00:24:17.690 align:middle line:90% before it could happen. 00:24:17.690 --> 00:24:20.255 align:middle line:84% Jessie was worried too, after all, Jerry 00:24:20.255 --> 00:24:22.130 align:middle line:84% was sitting right there over her and she just 00:24:22.130 --> 00:24:23.903 align:middle line:84% had on her bathrobe and a g-string. 00:24:23.903 --> 00:24:25.820 align:middle line:84% It was sort of close quarters in the ambulance 00:24:25.820 --> 00:24:27.903 align:middle line:84% and Harmony decided she had been wrong about Jerry 00:24:27.903 --> 00:24:29.690 align:middle line:90% being likable. 00:24:29.690 --> 00:24:34.940 align:middle line:84% Well, now Jessie gets the shot or two 00:24:34.940 --> 00:24:37.400 align:middle line:84% and they sort of sit up with her part of the night 00:24:37.400 --> 00:24:40.610 align:middle line:84% and then they go back to her apartment to feed the dog 00:24:40.610 --> 00:24:43.310 align:middle line:90% and want to pick it up. 00:24:43.310 --> 00:24:50.570 align:middle line:84% And Harmony leaves Jessie at the hospital. 00:24:50.570 --> 00:24:53.810 align:middle line:84% Harmony, during her break every night, 00:24:53.810 --> 00:24:57.680 align:middle line:84% goes down to the $2 craps table and is always 00:24:57.680 --> 00:24:59.430 align:middle line:90% hoping she'll get lucky. 00:24:59.430 --> 00:25:02.420 align:middle line:84% She doesn't exactly get lucky in a gambling way 00:25:02.420 --> 00:25:05.300 align:middle line:84% but there is a slot machine mechanic 00:25:05.300 --> 00:25:07.850 align:middle line:84% who begins to get interested in her, his name is Dave. 00:25:07.850 --> 00:25:10.160 align:middle line:84% And he starts turning up, he figures out, 00:25:10.160 --> 00:25:12.440 align:middle line:84% he's shrewd enough to figure out when her break is, 00:25:12.440 --> 00:25:14.390 align:middle line:84% so every night about the time for her break 00:25:14.390 --> 00:25:18.290 align:middle line:84% he will turn up at the $2 craps table. 00:25:18.290 --> 00:25:20.270 align:middle line:84% So after Harmony has had this depressing time 00:25:20.270 --> 00:25:23.120 align:middle line:84% getting Jessie established in the hospital, 00:25:23.120 --> 00:25:25.947 align:middle line:84% she doesn't quite know what she wants to do with herself. 00:25:25.947 --> 00:25:28.280 align:middle line:84% She started to go back to Debbie's and Marty's, Debbie's 00:25:28.280 --> 00:25:31.340 align:middle line:84% and Marty's is a bar where she drinks in the afternoon, 00:25:31.340 --> 00:25:33.060 align:middle line:84% but then if nobody was there to talk to, 00:25:33.060 --> 00:25:36.450 align:middle line:84% she'd just stuff herself with peanuts or drink too much. 00:25:36.450 --> 00:25:39.070 align:middle line:84% What she did instead was drive back to the Stardust, 00:25:39.070 --> 00:25:41.915 align:middle line:84% she started feeling very lonely and wanted to stop the feeling. 00:25:41.915 --> 00:25:43.290 align:middle line:84% There's a feeling of suddenly not 00:25:43.290 --> 00:25:45.150 align:middle line:84% having one single person available 00:25:45.150 --> 00:25:47.580 align:middle line:90% who cared that much about her. 00:25:47.580 --> 00:25:49.710 align:middle line:84% Of course Gary did but he had just gone to sleep 00:25:49.710 --> 00:25:51.180 align:middle line:90% and wasn't available. 00:25:51.180 --> 00:25:51.840 align:middle line:90% It was late. 00:25:51.840 --> 00:25:54.180 align:middle line:84% There were very few people walking on the strip, which 00:25:54.180 --> 00:25:55.992 align:middle line:90% didn't help her lonely feeling. 00:25:55.992 --> 00:25:57.825 align:middle line:84% She thought of stopping at the Amoco station 00:25:57.825 --> 00:25:59.340 align:middle line:90% and having a chat with Wendell-- 00:25:59.340 --> 00:26:01.260 align:middle line:84% Wendell manages the Amoco station 00:26:01.260 --> 00:26:03.930 align:middle line:84% when he's not working in his moonlighting 00:26:03.930 --> 00:26:07.320 align:middle line:84% job, when he's not working at the full crew at the MGM Grand. 00:26:07.320 --> 00:26:10.620 align:middle line:84% But Gary's car was full of gas and that ruled that out. 00:26:10.620 --> 00:26:12.360 align:middle line:84% At least the Casino was still buzzing. 00:26:12.360 --> 00:26:15.133 align:middle line:84% The town wasn't as deserted as it looked from outside. 00:26:15.133 --> 00:26:17.550 align:middle line:84% It occurred to her that there wasn't much point in keeping 00:26:17.550 --> 00:26:19.017 align:middle line:90% Dave on hold too much longer. 00:26:19.017 --> 00:26:21.600 align:middle line:84% She'd been keeping Dave on hold in the hope that her boyfriend 00:26:21.600 --> 00:26:25.300 align:middle line:84% Denny would come back to her and be nice, but then he didn't. 00:26:25.300 --> 00:26:27.330 align:middle line:84% There wasn't much point in keeping Dave on hold 00:26:27.330 --> 00:26:29.340 align:middle line:84% too much longer, Dave is an ex-marine, 00:26:29.340 --> 00:26:32.063 align:middle line:84% who's working as a slot machine mechanic. 00:26:32.063 --> 00:26:34.230 align:middle line:84% Denny was not going to suddenly show up and be nice, 00:26:34.230 --> 00:26:35.940 align:middle line:84% she might as well go on and give up. 00:26:35.940 --> 00:26:37.800 align:middle line:84% It was sort of unfair to keep Dave waiting, 00:26:37.800 --> 00:26:40.467 align:middle line:84% at least he didn't strike her as the kind of man who would steal 00:26:40.467 --> 00:26:42.000 align:middle line:90% somebody's insurance checks. 00:26:42.000 --> 00:26:44.947 align:middle line:84% Luckily Dave was still there; he was off in about 20 minutes. 00:26:44.947 --> 00:26:46.530 align:middle line:84% He sort of looked slightly taken aback 00:26:46.530 --> 00:26:48.405 align:middle line:84% when she showed up and asked him if he wanted 00:26:48.405 --> 00:26:50.130 align:middle line:90% to eat breakfast or something. 00:26:50.130 --> 00:26:53.080 align:middle line:84% Obviously he had not expected to get taken off hold so quickly 00:26:53.080 --> 00:26:55.410 align:middle line:84% but once he got used to the idea, he was willing. 00:26:55.410 --> 00:26:57.278 align:middle line:84% He said he'd meet her at the Keno bar, 00:26:57.278 --> 00:26:59.820 align:middle line:84% so Harmony went and sat at the bar right by the cash register 00:26:59.820 --> 00:27:02.880 align:middle line:84% and had a word or two with Leon, the main bartender. 00:27:02.880 --> 00:27:05.230 align:middle line:84% She also had another vodka tonic or two hoping 00:27:05.230 --> 00:27:07.230 align:middle line:84% they would have an effect on her lonely feeling, 00:27:07.230 --> 00:27:10.470 align:middle line:84% but they didn't, they just went down like water. 00:27:10.470 --> 00:27:12.270 align:middle line:84% "How come you never flirt with me, Harmony? 00:27:12.270 --> 00:27:15.150 align:middle line:84% You flirt with everybody else," Leon wanted to know. 00:27:15.150 --> 00:27:17.010 align:middle line:84% It was true, she had known him for 10 years 00:27:17.010 --> 00:27:18.160 align:middle line:90% and never flirted with him. 00:27:18.160 --> 00:27:19.890 align:middle line:84% He was a short guy and pudgy, although that 00:27:19.890 --> 00:27:21.730 align:middle line:84% wasn't the reason, a lot of guys were short, 00:27:21.730 --> 00:27:23.970 align:middle line:84% including several she had developed attachments to. 00:27:23.970 --> 00:27:27.510 align:middle line:84% Ross for example, and Gary too for that matter. 00:27:27.510 --> 00:27:30.990 align:middle line:84% "Oh Leon, I'm just saving you," she said, giving him a smile. 00:27:30.990 --> 00:27:32.970 align:middle line:84% Leon didn't really care, he'd just 00:27:32.970 --> 00:27:34.920 align:middle line:84% been making conversation, maybe even trying 00:27:34.920 --> 00:27:36.810 align:middle line:90% to cheer her up a little. 00:27:36.810 --> 00:27:38.490 align:middle line:84% "That's awful about Jessie," he said. 00:27:38.490 --> 00:27:39.900 align:middle line:90% "Some people are accident prone. 00:27:39.900 --> 00:27:41.490 align:middle line:84% I remember once she twisted her ankle 00:27:41.490 --> 00:27:43.238 align:middle line:90% just getting off a bar stool." 00:27:43.238 --> 00:27:45.780 align:middle line:84% But that was true, if there was any way to pick up an injury, 00:27:45.780 --> 00:27:47.210 align:middle line:90% Jessie would find it. 00:27:47.210 --> 00:27:48.960 align:middle line:84% Dave was taking a while, it seemed to her. 00:27:48.960 --> 00:27:50.730 align:middle line:84% 20 minutes was up and he wasn't there. 00:27:50.730 --> 00:27:52.230 align:middle line:84% She was beginning to wish she's just 00:27:52.230 --> 00:27:54.610 align:middle line:84% decided to flirt with Leon for a while, after all, 00:27:54.610 --> 00:27:56.100 align:middle line:90% he was an old friend. 00:27:56.100 --> 00:27:58.890 align:middle line:84% Whereas Dave was sort of an unknown quantity, good looking, 00:27:58.890 --> 00:28:00.885 align:middle line:84% she liked the streak of gray in his hair, 00:28:00.885 --> 00:28:02.760 align:middle line:84% thought it made him look dignified, but still 00:28:02.760 --> 00:28:04.293 align:middle line:90% an unknown quantity. 00:28:04.293 --> 00:28:06.960 align:middle line:84% Then just when she was trying to decide if maybe she should just 00:28:06.960 --> 00:28:09.030 align:middle line:84% vanish and pretend she'd got an emergency phone 00:28:09.030 --> 00:28:11.970 align:middle line:84% call from the hospital or something, the last person 00:28:11.970 --> 00:28:14.460 align:middle line:84% in the world she wanted to see, namely Bonventre, 00:28:14.460 --> 00:28:17.490 align:middle line:84% the producer of her show, wandered out of the casino 00:28:17.490 --> 00:28:19.110 align:middle line:90% and sat down by her. 00:28:19.110 --> 00:28:21.240 align:middle line:84% She felt like Pac Man had made it through the maze 00:28:21.240 --> 00:28:23.580 align:middle line:84% and selected her as the next person to eat. 00:28:23.580 --> 00:28:26.310 align:middle line:84% As usual, Bonventre looked full of energy, 00:28:26.310 --> 00:28:27.900 align:middle line:90% though it was nearly dawn. 00:28:27.900 --> 00:28:30.000 align:middle line:84% "Harmony, don't you ever go home?" 00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:32.040 align:middle line:84% He asked making it sound like she owed him rent 00:28:32.040 --> 00:28:34.112 align:middle line:90% for the bar stool or something. 00:28:34.112 --> 00:28:36.570 align:middle line:84% "Jessie's ankle was shattered, I'm just having a few drinks 00:28:36.570 --> 00:28:37.570 align:middle line:90% to calm down," she said. 00:28:37.570 --> 00:28:39.320 align:middle line:84% She was hoping he wouldn't mention Pepper. 00:28:39.320 --> 00:28:40.810 align:middle line:84% He was trying to hire her daughter 00:28:40.810 --> 00:28:44.340 align:middle line:84% as the dancer in the same show she's in at this very moment. 00:28:44.340 --> 00:28:46.760 align:middle line:84% But of course it was the next thing he mentioned. 00:28:46.760 --> 00:28:48.510 align:middle line:84% "Fine, hang around another couple of hours 00:28:48.510 --> 00:28:51.010 align:middle line:84% and I'll have someone drive you down to the Sheriff's Office 00:28:51.010 --> 00:28:53.605 align:middle line:84% so you can sign the work consent form," Bonventre said. 00:28:53.605 --> 00:28:55.980 align:middle line:84% "You don't want to neglect that little piece of business, 00:28:55.980 --> 00:28:59.040 align:middle line:84% I want Pepper to get started learning the routines. 00:28:59.040 --> 00:29:00.630 align:middle line:84% "Jackie, can't you just forget it? 00:29:00.630 --> 00:29:03.690 align:middle line:84% Pepper needs to finish high school," she said. 00:29:03.690 --> 00:29:06.540 align:middle line:84% Bonventre just nodded and took the Scotch and soda Leon handed 00:29:06.540 --> 00:29:08.253 align:middle line:84% him, at which point Harmony noticed Dave, 00:29:08.253 --> 00:29:10.170 align:middle line:84% he had been on his way but had sort of stalled 00:29:10.170 --> 00:29:12.150 align:middle line:90% at the sight of Bonventre. 00:29:12.150 --> 00:29:15.418 align:middle line:84% He was hanging back pretending to be interested in the Keno. 00:29:15.418 --> 00:29:17.460 align:middle line:84% "Harmony, you know better than to argue with me," 00:29:17.460 --> 00:29:20.013 align:middle line:84% Bonventre said, stirring his drink with his finger. 00:29:20.013 --> 00:29:22.180 align:middle line:84% Then he licked the finger, it was one of his habits, 00:29:22.180 --> 00:29:24.342 align:middle line:84% she'd seen him do it a million times. 00:29:24.342 --> 00:29:26.550 align:middle line:84% Harmony suddenly felt pretty depressed at the thought 00:29:26.550 --> 00:29:29.370 align:middle line:84% that she didn't have anyone strong to stand up for her, 00:29:29.370 --> 00:29:32.060 align:middle line:84% there was no use pretending she herself was strong. 00:29:32.060 --> 00:29:33.810 align:middle line:84% A million people had pointed it out to her 00:29:33.810 --> 00:29:35.970 align:middle line:84% that she wasn't and they were right. 00:29:35.970 --> 00:29:38.400 align:middle line:84% She spent large amounts of time doing what someone wanted 00:29:38.400 --> 00:29:40.770 align:middle line:84% her to do, such as 20 years doing what Bonventre 00:29:40.770 --> 00:29:43.105 align:middle line:90% had wanted her to do on stage. 00:29:43.105 --> 00:29:44.730 align:middle line:84% If he wanted Pepper for the understudy, 00:29:44.730 --> 00:29:45.840 align:middle line:90% he would get her probably. 00:29:45.840 --> 00:29:47.670 align:middle line:84% Besides, if Pepper wanted to understudy, 00:29:47.670 --> 00:29:49.290 align:middle line:84% she would do it no matter what anybody 00:29:49.290 --> 00:29:52.140 align:middle line:84% said, even Gary's opinion probably wouldn't stop her. 00:29:52.140 --> 00:29:54.240 align:middle line:84% So what was the point of the argument? 00:29:54.240 --> 00:29:56.910 align:middle line:84% Pepper and Bonventre were both sort of like bulldozers 00:29:56.910 --> 00:29:59.327 align:middle line:84% when it came to going where they wanted to go, 00:29:59.327 --> 00:30:01.410 align:middle line:84% the difference being that Bonventre sort of looked 00:30:01.410 --> 00:30:03.030 align:middle line:84% like a bulldozer whereas Pepper looked 00:30:03.030 --> 00:30:04.740 align:middle line:90% like a beautiful young girl. 00:30:04.740 --> 00:30:06.760 align:middle line:84% Pepper just happened to have a will of iron 00:30:06.760 --> 00:30:09.150 align:middle line:84% whereas she herself had a will of cream of wheat, 00:30:09.150 --> 00:30:11.922 align:middle line:84% as Gary put it when he was in one of his witty moods. 00:30:11.922 --> 00:30:14.130 align:middle line:84% It was hard to be a good mother if you happen to have 00:30:14.130 --> 00:30:16.080 align:middle line:90% a child with the will of iron. 00:30:16.080 --> 00:30:18.450 align:middle line:84% Maybe Jessie was lucky just to have a pet. 00:30:18.450 --> 00:30:20.220 align:middle line:84% Definitely motherhood had been more fun 00:30:20.220 --> 00:30:22.220 align:middle line:84% when Pepper was younger and would sit on her lap 00:30:22.220 --> 00:30:23.308 align:middle line:90% and let her do her hair. 00:30:23.308 --> 00:30:25.350 align:middle line:84% That was before she developed the mind of her own 00:30:25.350 --> 00:30:28.200 align:middle line:84% about clothes and hairstyles and stuff. 00:30:28.200 --> 00:30:30.018 align:middle line:84% "Oh Jackie, why do you want her?" she said. 00:30:30.018 --> 00:30:31.560 align:middle line:84% She felt sort of a sinking and wished 00:30:31.560 --> 00:30:33.400 align:middle line:84% Dave hadn't stopped to watch the keno. 00:30:33.400 --> 00:30:36.540 align:middle line:84% At least he could have sat down by her. 00:30:36.540 --> 00:30:38.340 align:middle line:84% "I want her because she's got star quality 00:30:38.340 --> 00:30:40.680 align:middle line:84% and besides, she can dance," Bonventre said. 00:30:40.680 --> 00:30:44.220 align:middle line:84% "30% empty seats last night, I hate figures like that. 00:30:44.220 --> 00:30:46.920 align:middle line:84% Every conventioneer in America has seen Monique by now, 00:30:46.920 --> 00:30:50.453 align:middle line:84% it's time she started a cooking school or something." 00:30:50.453 --> 00:30:51.870 align:middle line:84% "Well, you could get rid of Murdo, 00:30:51.870 --> 00:30:54.510 align:middle line:84% he is the worst ventriloquist in Las Vegas," Harmony thought. 00:30:54.510 --> 00:30:56.010 align:middle line:84% But she didn't bother saying it; why 00:30:56.010 --> 00:30:57.970 align:middle line:90% make life difficult for Murdo? 00:30:57.970 --> 00:31:00.955 align:middle line:84% She finished her drink and paid Leon, 00:31:00.955 --> 00:31:03.330 align:middle line:84% there was no point in staying and getting more depressed. 00:31:03.330 --> 00:31:04.705 align:middle line:84% As she was picking up her change, 00:31:04.705 --> 00:31:06.455 align:middle line:84% Bonventre tapped her on the wrist. 00:31:06.455 --> 00:31:07.830 align:middle line:84% "Harmony, don't get stubborn," he 00:31:07.830 --> 00:31:10.455 align:middle line:84% said, "Pepper doesn't need high school and if I don't hire her, 00:31:10.455 --> 00:31:11.670 align:middle line:90% somebody else will. 00:31:11.670 --> 00:31:15.150 align:middle line:84% You should be proud to have such a talented daughter." 00:31:15.150 --> 00:31:17.190 align:middle line:84% Harmony couldn't think of any words to say. 00:31:17.190 --> 00:31:18.870 align:middle line:90% Bonventre was probably right. 00:31:18.870 --> 00:31:21.020 align:middle line:84% Actually she was proud of it, it was just 00:31:21.020 --> 00:31:22.770 align:middle line:84% a shock to think that she and Pepper would 00:31:22.770 --> 00:31:25.260 align:middle line:90% be on the same stage. 00:31:25.260 --> 00:31:27.270 align:middle line:84% Bonventre didn't bother to say anything else. 00:31:27.270 --> 00:31:29.070 align:middle line:84% He knew perfectly well he'd get his way 00:31:29.070 --> 00:31:31.860 align:middle line:84% and was not interested in the lengthy discussion. 00:31:31.860 --> 00:31:33.750 align:middle line:84% Harmony thought maybe he'd have something 00:31:33.750 --> 00:31:35.280 align:middle line:84% to say about Jessie, after all, she 00:31:35.280 --> 00:31:37.140 align:middle line:84% had worked for him quite a few years too. 00:31:37.140 --> 00:31:39.162 align:middle line:84% But Bonventre wasn't thinking about Jessie, 00:31:39.162 --> 00:31:40.620 align:middle line:84% he was thinking thoughts of his own 00:31:40.620 --> 00:31:43.860 align:middle line:84% and stirring his second Scotch and soda. 00:31:43.860 --> 00:31:46.150 align:middle line:84% Dave had gotten kind of nervous from being taken off 00:31:46.150 --> 00:31:46.950 align:middle line:90% hold so quickly. 00:31:46.950 --> 00:31:48.120 align:middle line:90% He didn't have a lot to say. 00:31:48.120 --> 00:31:49.920 align:middle line:84% Also, he was not quite as reassuring 00:31:49.920 --> 00:31:53.070 align:middle line:84% as he had seemed when she and Terry were at the craps table. 00:31:53.070 --> 00:31:54.060 align:middle line:90% Harmony felt hungry. 00:31:54.060 --> 00:31:57.540 align:middle line:84% It had been quite a while since her taco between shows. 00:31:57.540 --> 00:31:59.880 align:middle line:84% She asked Dave if he felt like hitting the Waffle House 00:31:59.880 --> 00:32:02.047 align:middle line:84% but he seemed to think that was kind of extravagant; 00:32:02.047 --> 00:32:04.792 align:middle line:84% he said they could have breakfast at his apartment. 00:32:04.792 --> 00:32:06.750 align:middle line:84% Harmony was agreeable, she loved getting a look 00:32:06.750 --> 00:32:09.090 align:middle line:84% at a guy's apartment, seeing what kind of decorations 00:32:09.090 --> 00:32:10.890 align:middle line:90% they had could be interesting. 00:32:10.890 --> 00:32:12.390 align:middle line:84% Only in the case of Dave's apartment 00:32:12.390 --> 00:32:14.250 align:middle line:84% interesting was not quite the right word, 00:32:14.250 --> 00:32:16.590 align:middle line:84% horrible would have been more like it. 00:32:16.590 --> 00:32:18.780 align:middle line:84% As Dave himself explained, he got his apartment 00:32:18.780 --> 00:32:20.250 align:middle line:84% for practically no rent in return 00:32:20.250 --> 00:32:21.960 align:middle line:84% for managing the other five apartments 00:32:21.960 --> 00:32:25.170 align:middle line:84% in the little green apartment building on Charleston Avenue. 00:32:25.170 --> 00:32:27.030 align:middle line:84% He candidly admitted that cheap rent was 00:32:27.030 --> 00:32:28.482 align:middle line:90% the one good thing about it. 00:32:28.482 --> 00:32:29.940 align:middle line:84% Harmony definitely agreed, it would 00:32:29.940 --> 00:32:31.800 align:middle line:90% have to be that if anything. 00:32:31.800 --> 00:32:34.470 align:middle line:84% It was at the back of a building next to a garbage collection 00:32:34.470 --> 00:32:35.223 align:middle line:90% center. 00:32:35.223 --> 00:32:37.140 align:middle line:84% There was no garbage there but the trucks that 00:32:37.140 --> 00:32:39.600 align:middle line:84% hauled it were parked right next to Dave's kitchen window 00:32:39.600 --> 00:32:43.020 align:middle line:84% and smelled about as bad as if they were garbage themselves. 00:32:43.020 --> 00:32:44.980 align:middle line:84% Dave said he hoped the smell didn't bother her, 00:32:44.980 --> 00:32:46.230 align:middle line:84% he couldn't lower the window because he 00:32:46.230 --> 00:32:48.630 align:middle line:84% didn't have air conditioning, he didn't believe in it. 00:32:48.630 --> 00:32:50.223 align:middle line:84% His theory was it sort of weakens you, 00:32:50.223 --> 00:32:52.140 align:middle line:84% and his years in the Marines had convinced him 00:32:52.140 --> 00:32:54.630 align:middle line:90% it didn't do to get weak. 00:32:54.630 --> 00:32:56.190 align:middle line:84% One of his kitchen walls was covered 00:32:56.190 --> 00:32:58.140 align:middle line:84% with pictures of mercenaries holding machine 00:32:58.140 --> 00:33:03.030 align:middle line:84% guns of various kinds or hand grenades or something. 00:33:03.030 --> 00:33:05.130 align:middle line:84% Evidently Dave's reading consisted mostly 00:33:05.130 --> 00:33:07.710 align:middle line:84% of magazines for mercenaries because his kitchen table 00:33:07.710 --> 00:33:08.817 align:middle line:90% was covered with them. 00:33:08.817 --> 00:33:11.400 align:middle line:84% Harmony definitely began to get the sense that she hadn't made 00:33:11.400 --> 00:33:13.315 align:middle line:90% the best choice in the world. 00:33:13.315 --> 00:33:14.940 align:middle line:84% The fact that Dave had been nice enough 00:33:14.940 --> 00:33:16.590 align:middle line:84% to show up at the craps table every night 00:33:16.590 --> 00:33:17.965 align:middle line:84% just when she had her break could 00:33:17.965 --> 00:33:19.920 align:middle line:90% have been a misleading fact. 00:33:19.920 --> 00:33:21.630 align:middle line:84% Still he was sort of trying to be sweet 00:33:21.630 --> 00:33:23.520 align:middle line:84% and hadn't put any rush on her or anything, 00:33:23.520 --> 00:33:24.978 align:middle line:84% probably she would just be a good-- 00:33:24.978 --> 00:33:27.270 align:middle line:84% she should just be a good sport and have breakfast. 00:33:27.270 --> 00:33:28.770 align:middle line:84% Dave seemed pretty nervous, probably 00:33:28.770 --> 00:33:31.578 align:middle line:84% some bacon and eggs would make them both feel better. 00:33:31.578 --> 00:33:33.120 align:middle line:84% But when she opened the icebox, there 00:33:33.120 --> 00:33:34.830 align:middle line:90% was nothing there but beer. 00:33:34.830 --> 00:33:37.830 align:middle line:84% At which point Dave said, "I hope you like K-rations." 00:33:37.830 --> 00:33:42.000 align:middle line:84% It turned out-- it turned out that his cabinet had 00:33:42.000 --> 00:33:43.890 align:middle line:84% no normal food in it at all, just shelf 00:33:43.890 --> 00:33:46.020 align:middle line:90% after shelf of K-rations. 00:33:46.020 --> 00:33:48.840 align:middle line:90% It was sort of an amazing sight. 00:33:48.840 --> 00:33:51.270 align:middle line:84% Dave explained that because of his marine background, 00:33:51.270 --> 00:33:53.550 align:middle line:84% he had grown to like K-rations and had just started 00:33:53.550 --> 00:33:55.860 align:middle line:84% stopped eating normal food or anything else, 00:33:55.860 --> 00:33:59.160 align:middle line:84% after all, they were cheap and there was quite a variety. 00:33:59.160 --> 00:34:01.860 align:middle line:84% Her philosophy of being a good sport was soon put to the test 00:34:01.860 --> 00:34:03.810 align:middle line:84% since to be gallant Dave opened three 00:34:03.810 --> 00:34:05.670 align:middle line:90% different kinds of K-rations. 00:34:05.670 --> 00:34:07.110 align:middle line:84% For him it was a big deal, sort of 00:34:07.110 --> 00:34:09.659 align:middle line:84% like taking her to a fancy restaurant or something, 00:34:09.659 --> 00:34:13.170 align:middle line:84% usually he just restricted himself to one kind at a time. 00:34:13.170 --> 00:34:14.753 align:middle line:84% The sun was just beginning to come up, 00:34:14.753 --> 00:34:16.795 align:middle line:84% which made Harmony wish she had just gone on home 00:34:16.795 --> 00:34:18.420 align:middle line:84% and put on her sleep goggles, at least 00:34:18.420 --> 00:34:19.170 align:middle line:90% she could have been able-- 00:34:19.170 --> 00:34:20.878 align:middle line:84% would have been able to feed the peacocks 00:34:20.878 --> 00:34:22.548 align:middle line:90% and make Pepper breakfast. 00:34:22.548 --> 00:34:24.840 align:middle line:84% Why was she sitting around smelling garbage trucks when 00:34:24.840 --> 00:34:26.580 align:middle line:84% she could have been smelling the desert 00:34:26.580 --> 00:34:29.730 align:middle line:84% and feeding her own beautiful child and beautiful birds? 00:34:29.730 --> 00:34:32.670 align:middle line:84% Plus, she had to eat at least a few bites of the K-rations. 00:34:32.670 --> 00:34:34.500 align:middle line:84% Variety or no variety, they were not 00:34:34.500 --> 00:34:37.710 align:middle line:84% exactly what a normal person would choose for breakfast. 00:34:37.710 --> 00:34:39.935 align:middle line:84% They didn't have any liquids available except beer 00:34:39.935 --> 00:34:41.310 align:middle line:84% so she drank quite a bit in order 00:34:41.310 --> 00:34:43.350 align:middle line:90% to wash down the K-rations. 00:34:43.350 --> 00:34:45.750 align:middle line:84% The smell of the K-rations made her a little nauseous. 00:34:45.750 --> 00:34:48.090 align:middle line:84% She thought, "This is a disaster I've walked into, what 00:34:48.090 --> 00:34:49.560 align:middle line:90% am I doing in this kitchen? 00:34:49.560 --> 00:34:51.570 align:middle line:84% This is something Jessie would get herself into, 00:34:51.570 --> 00:34:53.550 align:middle line:90% how come it's me this time?" 00:34:53.550 --> 00:34:55.020 align:middle line:84% To make matters worse, Dave begin 00:34:55.020 --> 00:34:57.437 align:middle line:84% to get his feelings hurt when he noticed she was just sort 00:34:57.437 --> 00:34:59.887 align:middle line:90% of picking at the K-rations. 00:34:59.887 --> 00:35:01.470 align:middle line:84% He had obviously made a special effort 00:35:01.470 --> 00:35:03.690 align:middle line:84% by opening three different kinds. 00:35:03.690 --> 00:35:06.120 align:middle line:84% He started making remarks like waste not want not, 00:35:06.120 --> 00:35:08.070 align:middle line:84% trying to make out like it was a joke. 00:35:08.070 --> 00:35:09.780 align:middle line:84% Although it was definitely no joke, 00:35:09.780 --> 00:35:12.720 align:middle line:84% nothing about the occasion was what she would call a joke. 00:35:12.720 --> 00:35:14.220 align:middle line:84% She thought she was probably going 00:35:14.220 --> 00:35:16.260 align:middle line:84% to vomit every time she put a bite in her mouth. 00:35:16.260 --> 00:35:19.950 align:middle line:84% Her only hope was to immediately wash it down with lots of beer 00:35:19.950 --> 00:35:23.160 align:middle line:84% but the beer didn't mix too well at all with the vodka tonics. 00:35:23.160 --> 00:35:25.715 align:middle line:84% They might not have had an effect but they were there. 00:35:25.715 --> 00:35:27.090 align:middle line:84% She got the feeling she was going 00:35:27.090 --> 00:35:29.370 align:middle line:84% to be very lucky not to get sick, although she could 00:35:29.370 --> 00:35:30.660 align:middle line:84% usually eat anything and it's just 00:35:30.660 --> 00:35:32.702 align:middle line:84% been quite awhile since she had given her stomach 00:35:32.702 --> 00:35:34.170 align:middle line:90% that much of a test. 00:35:34.170 --> 00:35:35.670 align:middle line:84% She told herself she was never going 00:35:35.670 --> 00:35:37.530 align:middle line:84% near that particular craps table again. 00:35:37.530 --> 00:35:40.133 align:middle line:84% Jeanne could pine all he wanted to, it wasn't worth it. 00:35:40.133 --> 00:35:42.300 align:middle line:84% While she was wondering what she'd do on her breaks, 00:35:42.300 --> 00:35:43.970 align:middle line:90% and then Dave sprang a surprise. 00:35:43.970 --> 00:35:45.720 align:middle line:84% He's just been sitting there reproachfully 00:35:45.720 --> 00:35:47.345 align:middle line:84% watching that she didn't somehow manage 00:35:47.345 --> 00:35:48.840 align:middle line:84% to sneak the rest of the K-rations 00:35:48.840 --> 00:35:51.390 align:middle line:84% down to disposal or something, then 00:35:51.390 --> 00:35:53.790 align:middle line:84% suddenly he forgot about the K-rations and jumped at her. 00:35:53.790 --> 00:35:55.290 align:middle line:84% His hand went right between her legs 00:35:55.290 --> 00:35:57.450 align:middle line:84% before she could even drop her fork. 00:35:57.450 --> 00:35:58.950 align:middle line:84% Maybe it wasn't a total surprise, 00:35:58.950 --> 00:36:00.660 align:middle line:84% she had sort of guessed he was thinking about it. 00:36:00.660 --> 00:36:02.460 align:middle line:84% She was just-- she would just have expected 00:36:02.460 --> 00:36:04.620 align:middle line:90% a little more subtlety though. 00:36:04.620 --> 00:36:06.775 align:middle line:84% An invitation to inspect the bedroom or something, 00:36:06.775 --> 00:36:08.400 align:middle line:84% although there wasn't really a bedroom, 00:36:08.400 --> 00:36:11.670 align:middle line:84% just a little living room with a turquoise rug and a day bed. 00:36:11.670 --> 00:36:13.830 align:middle line:84% It was just about the time that Dave made his move 00:36:13.830 --> 00:36:17.580 align:middle line:84% that the vodka tonics plus the beer finally had an effect. 00:36:17.580 --> 00:36:19.832 align:middle line:84% She felt sort of disconnected while the big event was 00:36:19.832 --> 00:36:21.540 align:middle line:84% happening, not that she tried to stop it, 00:36:21.540 --> 00:36:25.080 align:middle line:84% anything was better than eating K-rations. 00:36:25.080 --> 00:36:27.330 align:middle line:84% And anyway, after all, she had been the one 00:36:27.330 --> 00:36:29.220 align:middle line:90% who had taken him off hold. 00:36:29.220 --> 00:36:30.720 align:middle line:90% Besides, it was a short event. 00:36:30.720 --> 00:36:33.420 align:middle line:84% Dave was disappointed in himself and said he was out of practice 00:36:33.420 --> 00:36:34.560 align:middle line:84% and it had been quite a while, which 00:36:34.560 --> 00:36:35.880 align:middle line:84% made her feel a little sorry for him. 00:36:35.880 --> 00:36:37.320 align:middle line:90% So what if he liked K-rations? 00:36:37.320 --> 00:36:39.960 align:middle line:84% It was just his marine background. 00:36:39.960 --> 00:36:42.170 align:middle line:84% She held him close for a while, after all, he 00:36:42.170 --> 00:36:44.820 align:middle line:84% had needed her a lot and she did like the gray streak, 00:36:44.820 --> 00:36:47.203 align:middle line:84% it was too bad he had such a horrible apartment. 00:36:47.203 --> 00:36:48.870 align:middle line:84% Pepper would have said some awful things 00:36:48.870 --> 00:36:51.560 align:middle line:84% to say if she could see that turquoise rug. 00:36:51.560 --> 00:36:53.885 align:middle line:84% Dave seemed sort of helpless lying there beside her 00:36:53.885 --> 00:36:55.718 align:middle line:84% and she couldn't help feeling a little love, 00:36:55.718 --> 00:36:57.510 align:middle line:84% although she did plan to avoid the $2 craps 00:36:57.510 --> 00:36:59.752 align:middle line:90% table for quite a while. 00:36:59.752 --> 00:37:01.710 align:middle line:84% Then when Dave slept, she got dressed and found 00:37:01.710 --> 00:37:03.807 align:middle line:84% that besides the K-rations, there was no phone. 00:37:03.807 --> 00:37:06.390 align:middle line:84% She had to use a payphone across the street of the laundry mat 00:37:06.390 --> 00:37:08.100 align:middle line:84% to call Pepper and tell her she would 00:37:08.100 --> 00:37:09.810 align:middle line:90% have to cook her own breakfast. 00:37:09.810 --> 00:37:11.760 align:middle line:84% Well, enough of that, I'm just going 00:37:11.760 --> 00:37:14.970 align:middle line:84% to read you one more little part, and that's 00:37:14.970 --> 00:37:17.430 align:middle line:90% where Harmony goes away. 00:37:17.430 --> 00:37:22.830 align:middle line:84% At the end of the book, she gets a job in Reno or at least, no, 00:37:22.830 --> 00:37:25.830 align:middle line:84% her husband of 14 years, who hasn't been around in 14 years, 00:37:25.830 --> 00:37:29.220 align:middle line:84% Ross decides that she should come to Reno. 00:37:29.220 --> 00:37:33.210 align:middle line:84% He's not-- she gets fired meanwhile as a showgirl. 00:37:33.210 --> 00:37:34.948 align:middle line:84% When Jessie breaks her ankle, Bonventre 00:37:34.948 --> 00:37:36.990 align:middle line:84% decides this is a good time to get rid of Harmony 00:37:36.990 --> 00:37:40.230 align:middle line:84% too, so he promptly gets rid of Harmony and hires her daughter, 00:37:40.230 --> 00:37:42.600 align:middle line:84% and her daughter goes on to become the star of the show. 00:37:42.600 --> 00:37:45.460 align:middle line:84% But I'm not going to read you any of that, 00:37:45.460 --> 00:37:51.540 align:middle line:84% I'm just going to read you a little of Harmony's departure. 00:37:51.540 --> 00:37:53.640 align:middle line:84% Meanwhile Jessie moves into Harmony's house 00:37:53.640 --> 00:37:57.300 align:middle line:84% in order to recover from the breaking of her ankle. 00:37:57.300 --> 00:37:59.550 align:middle line:84% Jessie and Myrtle have become fast friends. 00:37:59.550 --> 00:38:01.120 align:middle line:84% They sat in the cool of the garage 00:38:01.120 --> 00:38:04.050 align:middle line:84% most of the day talking about men, how unfaithful they 00:38:04.050 --> 00:38:06.210 align:middle line:84% were and dishonest, and not too sensitive and hard 00:38:06.210 --> 00:38:07.410 align:middle line:90% to understand. 00:38:07.410 --> 00:38:10.020 align:middle line:84% They had enough complaints to get them through the day. 00:38:10.020 --> 00:38:11.490 align:middle line:84% Harmony didn't take much part, she 00:38:11.490 --> 00:38:12.930 align:middle line:84% didn't care to hear complaints and had 00:38:12.930 --> 00:38:14.847 align:middle line:84% none to make particularly, men weren't perfect 00:38:14.847 --> 00:38:15.900 align:middle line:90% but neither were women. 00:38:15.900 --> 00:38:17.500 align:middle line:84% Much as she loved Myrtle and Jessie, 00:38:17.500 --> 00:38:20.235 align:middle line:84% it was obvious that they were a long way from perfect. 00:38:20.235 --> 00:38:22.290 align:middle line:84% So she had an affair with a man named Giardo 00:38:22.290 --> 00:38:25.283 align:middle line:84% but I don't have time to read that. 00:38:25.283 --> 00:38:27.450 align:middle line:84% She went out to the garage to tell Myrtle and Jessie 00:38:27.450 --> 00:38:29.767 align:middle line:84% the good news: she practically had a job in Reno. 00:38:29.767 --> 00:38:31.350 align:middle line:84% But both of them were such pessimists, 00:38:31.350 --> 00:38:33.150 align:middle line:84% they didn't even consider it good news. 00:38:33.150 --> 00:38:34.650 align:middle line:84% "How do you know he'll be faithful?" 00:38:34.650 --> 00:38:35.680 align:middle line:90% Jessie asked. 00:38:35.680 --> 00:38:38.195 align:middle line:84% She thought she was sort of obsessed with that issue. 00:38:38.195 --> 00:38:40.320 align:middle line:84% Harmony never had been obsessed with it, after all, 00:38:40.320 --> 00:38:41.602 align:middle line:90% humans were humans. 00:38:41.602 --> 00:38:43.560 align:middle line:84% If there was some kindness in the relationship, 00:38:43.560 --> 00:38:45.330 align:middle line:84% a little slip now and then could be overlooked, 00:38:45.330 --> 00:38:47.288 align:middle line:84% and actually in most cases she had been the one 00:38:47.288 --> 00:38:49.158 align:middle line:90% prone to make the little slip. 00:38:49.158 --> 00:38:50.700 align:middle line:84% Myrtle didn't care about faithfulness 00:38:50.700 --> 00:38:52.410 align:middle line:84% unless Wendell was the male in question; 00:38:52.410 --> 00:38:54.948 align:middle line:84% she was more interested in who paid for what. 00:38:54.948 --> 00:38:56.490 align:middle line:84% He said if Ross was serious, he ought 00:38:56.490 --> 00:38:58.268 align:middle line:84% to have offered to buy the bus ticket. 00:38:58.268 --> 00:39:00.060 align:middle line:84% "If I was going to ride all the way to Reno 00:39:00.060 --> 00:39:01.620 align:middle line:84% just to let somebody get in my pants, 00:39:01.620 --> 00:39:04.140 align:middle line:84% they could at least buy the bus ticket," Myrtle said. 00:39:04.140 --> 00:39:06.795 align:middle line:84% She was not a very sentimental person most of the time. 00:39:06.795 --> 00:39:12.210 align:middle line:90% 00:39:12.210 --> 00:39:15.090 align:middle line:84% Then she headed to town and got Gary just as he was waking up 00:39:15.090 --> 00:39:17.880 align:middle line:84% and he thought it was a great idea, her going to Reno. 00:39:17.880 --> 00:39:19.560 align:middle line:84% He said a change of locale might do 00:39:19.560 --> 00:39:22.140 align:middle line:84% her all the good in the world but then he went to shower 00:39:22.140 --> 00:39:24.710 align:middle line:84% and when he came out of the shower, he was crying. 00:39:24.710 --> 00:39:26.460 align:middle line:84% Harmony didn't know whether it was because 00:39:26.460 --> 00:39:28.830 align:middle line:90% of his unrequited love or what. 00:39:28.830 --> 00:39:31.228 align:middle line:84% "No it's you," Gary said, "You're 00:39:31.228 --> 00:39:33.270 align:middle line:84% one of the most wonderful people I've ever known, 00:39:33.270 --> 00:39:35.192 align:middle line:84% I don't know what I'll do without you. 00:39:35.192 --> 00:39:36.900 align:middle line:84% You're just always so cheerful," he said, 00:39:36.900 --> 00:39:40.260 align:middle line:84% "You're not a depressive like everyone else in this town." 00:39:40.260 --> 00:39:42.240 align:middle line:84% It was sweet that he thought that of her. 00:39:42.240 --> 00:39:44.070 align:middle line:84% For a moment she wished Gary wasn't gay, 00:39:44.070 --> 00:39:45.390 align:middle line:84% something might have happened but what 00:39:45.390 --> 00:39:47.348 align:middle line:84% happened was that they went through a long walk 00:39:47.348 --> 00:39:48.630 align:middle line:90% and held hands. 00:39:48.630 --> 00:39:51.485 align:middle line:84% Harmony was thinking that their friendship could never be hurt. 00:39:51.485 --> 00:39:52.860 align:middle line:84% At that point she didn't feel too 00:39:52.860 --> 00:39:54.840 align:middle line:90% sad to be leaving Las Vegas. 00:39:54.840 --> 00:39:57.030 align:middle line:84% She and Gary talked about what might happen. 00:39:57.030 --> 00:39:59.610 align:middle line:84% Gary said, "Well, maybe Ross has grown up now, will make you 00:39:59.610 --> 00:40:01.362 align:middle line:90% a perfect husband. 00:40:01.362 --> 00:40:02.820 align:middle line:84% Or if not, maybe some wonderful guy 00:40:02.820 --> 00:40:04.320 align:middle line:84% will show up with one of the junkets 00:40:04.320 --> 00:40:07.020 align:middle line:84% and you'll marry him and live happily ever after." 00:40:07.020 --> 00:40:10.890 align:middle line:84% Harmony didn't know about that but she didn't feel sad. 00:40:10.890 --> 00:40:13.320 align:middle line:84% Maybe they would need two hospitality hostesses, that's 00:40:13.320 --> 00:40:14.695 align:middle line:84% what she's really going to do, is 00:40:14.695 --> 00:40:16.410 align:middle line:84% be a hospitality hostess in the big hotel 00:40:16.410 --> 00:40:21.600 align:middle line:84% and show junketeers around the town, et cetera et cetera. 00:40:21.600 --> 00:40:23.070 align:middle line:84% Moving on to the bus station, she 00:40:23.070 --> 00:40:25.485 align:middle line:84% had a very sad time saying goodbye to her peacocks. 00:40:25.485 --> 00:40:28.020 align:middle line:90% 00:40:28.020 --> 00:40:33.690 align:middle line:84% And then Gary and her daughter drive her to the bus station. 00:40:33.690 --> 00:40:36.060 align:middle line:84% Harmony decided that Pepper had grown up. 00:40:36.060 --> 00:40:39.000 align:middle line:84% Pepper is already working in the show by this time. 00:40:39.000 --> 00:40:40.860 align:middle line:90% She had a lot of presence. 00:40:40.860 --> 00:40:42.930 align:middle line:90% Pepper was not very likeable. 00:40:42.930 --> 00:40:45.540 align:middle line:84% It was a cool presence but a lot of presence, 00:40:45.540 --> 00:40:47.520 align:middle line:84% she was so beautiful and well-dressed that it 00:40:47.520 --> 00:40:50.760 align:middle line:84% made everyone a little uncomfortable, even Gary. 00:40:50.760 --> 00:40:53.250 align:middle line:84% He had been drinking too much due to his unrequited love 00:40:53.250 --> 00:40:54.960 align:middle line:90% and had put on weight. 00:40:54.960 --> 00:40:56.430 align:middle line:84% None of them looked that wonderful 00:40:56.430 --> 00:40:58.040 align:middle line:90% when they're out of the garage. 00:40:58.040 --> 00:40:59.790 align:middle line:84% They were all sitting around in the garage 00:40:59.790 --> 00:41:02.670 align:middle line:84% full of dusty costume jewelry and worn out tires, 00:41:02.670 --> 00:41:05.040 align:middle line:84% Maude had eaten the bottom out of both the card table 00:41:05.040 --> 00:41:07.350 align:middle line:84% so that things kept falling through. 00:41:07.350 --> 00:41:10.530 align:middle line:84% So in a way Pepper was right, it was sort of a slum like place 00:41:10.530 --> 00:41:11.880 align:middle line:90% actually. 00:41:11.880 --> 00:41:14.430 align:middle line:84% Jessie asked Pepper about her job at the Stardust and Pepper 00:41:14.430 --> 00:41:16.048 align:middle line:90% was casual about it. 00:41:16.048 --> 00:41:17.590 align:middle line:84% "Well, we got to move it," Gary said. 00:41:17.590 --> 00:41:19.800 align:middle line:84% He was quite nervous so Harmony got her suitcase 00:41:19.800 --> 00:41:22.050 align:middle line:90% and her little traveling bag. 00:41:22.050 --> 00:41:24.540 align:middle line:84% "Be good to Wendell," she said as she was hugging Myrtle. 00:41:24.540 --> 00:41:26.970 align:middle line:84% Of course they all cried again and Pepper informed Gary 00:41:26.970 --> 00:41:28.345 align:middle line:84% that she would drive since he was 00:41:28.345 --> 00:41:33.425 align:middle line:84% the only one around with enough self-control to steer a car. 00:41:33.425 --> 00:41:34.800 align:middle line:84% When they got to the bus station, 00:41:34.800 --> 00:41:37.140 align:middle line:84% Harmony gave Pepper a hug and a kiss. 00:41:37.140 --> 00:41:38.700 align:middle line:84% She knew adolescents didn't much like 00:41:38.700 --> 00:41:41.130 align:middle line:84% being hugged by their parents, particularly not Pepper, 00:41:41.130 --> 00:41:44.220 align:middle line:84% but at least she didn't seem too revolted. 00:41:44.220 --> 00:41:47.190 align:middle line:84% "I know it's going to be wonderful for you Pepper--" 00:41:47.190 --> 00:41:48.123 align:middle line:90% let's see here. 00:41:48.123 --> 00:41:50.340 align:middle line:84% "I know it's going to be wonderful for you Pepper," 00:41:50.340 --> 00:41:52.200 align:middle line:84% Harmony said, "You're so talented, you'll 00:41:52.200 --> 00:41:54.120 align:middle line:90% have a real career." 00:41:54.120 --> 00:41:55.560 align:middle line:84% Pepper had killed the motor, they 00:41:55.560 --> 00:41:57.960 align:middle line:84% were standing in the parking lot behind the Stardust 00:41:57.960 --> 00:42:00.082 align:middle line:90% and the lights had just come on. 00:42:00.082 --> 00:42:02.040 align:middle line:84% "That's the nice thing about Las Vegas though," 00:42:02.040 --> 00:42:04.740 align:middle line:84% Harmony said, "I was never talented like you are, 00:42:04.740 --> 00:42:06.210 align:middle line:90% I was just pretty. 00:42:06.210 --> 00:42:08.790 align:middle line:84% Nobody would have known what to do with me anywhere else 00:42:08.790 --> 00:42:11.910 align:middle line:84% but here I got to be a feathered beauty." 00:42:11.910 --> 00:42:14.070 align:middle line:84% She didn't let them wait, didn't like 00:42:14.070 --> 00:42:15.660 align:middle line:84% people sitting around feeling awkward 00:42:15.660 --> 00:42:17.400 align:middle line:84% while she got her ticket, people ought 00:42:17.400 --> 00:42:19.410 align:middle line:84% to get on with their lives, particularly 00:42:19.410 --> 00:42:22.650 align:middle line:84% people like Pepper and Gary, who had jobs. 00:42:22.650 --> 00:42:25.050 align:middle line:84% Pepper didn't say anything while Harmony was giving Gary 00:42:25.050 --> 00:42:26.550 align:middle line:90% a long, long hug. 00:42:26.550 --> 00:42:27.840 align:middle line:90% Gary was quite upset. 00:42:27.840 --> 00:42:33.180 align:middle line:84% Pepper sort of stood by the door of the Datsun watching the hug. 00:42:33.180 --> 00:42:35.520 align:middle line:84% Harmony thought for a minute she would say more, 00:42:35.520 --> 00:42:38.752 align:middle line:84% explain to Pepper that it was silly to be jealous any longer. 00:42:38.752 --> 00:42:40.710 align:middle line:84% She had never been talented and now wasn't even 00:42:40.710 --> 00:42:43.230 align:middle line:90% a feathered beauty anymore. 00:42:43.230 --> 00:42:46.350 align:middle line:84% Probably in a few more years she'd dry up like Myrtle 00:42:46.350 --> 00:42:50.010 align:middle line:84% and not be any kind of beauty; the jealousy was pointless. 00:42:50.010 --> 00:42:52.060 align:middle line:84% The few years would pass soon enough, 00:42:52.060 --> 00:42:54.390 align:middle line:84% then maybe Pepper would remember how hard she 00:42:54.390 --> 00:42:57.750 align:middle line:84% tried to be a good mom, giving the birthday parties every year 00:42:57.750 --> 00:42:59.670 align:middle line:90% and reading stories and things. 00:42:59.670 --> 00:43:01.080 align:middle line:84% But she didn't say any of it, she 00:43:01.080 --> 00:43:02.835 align:middle line:84% didn't want to be a demanding parent. 00:43:02.835 --> 00:43:04.710 align:middle line:84% And anyway, it would be better if Pepper just 00:43:04.710 --> 00:43:06.942 align:middle line:90% remembered it sometime. 00:43:06.942 --> 00:43:08.400 align:middle line:84% "Would you say hello to my father?" 00:43:08.400 --> 00:43:09.750 align:middle line:90% Pepper said. 00:43:09.750 --> 00:43:11.850 align:middle line:84% She sounded rather formal but it was interesting 00:43:11.850 --> 00:43:16.200 align:middle line:84% that she had said it, she hardly ever mentions her father. 00:43:16.200 --> 00:43:17.850 align:middle line:84% "Oh sure, he's been so proud since he 00:43:17.850 --> 00:43:19.440 align:middle line:84% heard you were dancing the lead, maybe he'll 00:43:19.440 --> 00:43:21.773 align:middle line:84% come down and see you some-- he'll come down and see you 00:43:21.773 --> 00:43:23.250 align:middle line:90% sometime," Harmony said. 00:43:23.250 --> 00:43:25.230 align:middle line:84% Then she blew her daughter a little extra kiss 00:43:25.230 --> 00:43:26.040 align:middle line:90% and went on in. 00:43:26.040 --> 00:43:29.160 align:middle line:84% It was time those two were getting on with their lives. 00:43:29.160 --> 00:43:31.530 align:middle line:90% She didn't feel so bad waiting. 00:43:31.530 --> 00:43:33.900 align:middle line:84% The bus station was full of interesting looking people 00:43:33.900 --> 00:43:36.000 align:middle line:84% and it was sort of exciting to be getting on a bus 00:43:36.000 --> 00:43:37.750 align:middle line:90% and going someplace new. 00:43:37.750 --> 00:43:39.840 align:middle line:84% She hadn't really done it since that time in Tulsa 00:43:39.840 --> 00:43:45.305 align:middle line:84% when she was 17 and the bus then hadn't been nearly as fancy. 00:43:45.305 --> 00:43:47.430 align:middle line:84% While she was waiting, she struck up a conversation 00:43:47.430 --> 00:43:49.660 align:middle line:84% with a man who didn't tell her his real name, 00:43:49.660 --> 00:43:52.470 align:middle line:84% he just told her his nickname, which was Boston. 00:43:52.470 --> 00:43:54.900 align:middle line:84% He said he was a professional semi-pro softball player 00:43:54.900 --> 00:43:56.442 align:middle line:84% and he was going to Seattle where 00:43:56.442 --> 00:43:57.900 align:middle line:84% he said a professional could always 00:43:57.900 --> 00:44:01.030 align:middle line:90% get by playing semi-pro ball. 00:44:01.030 --> 00:44:03.480 align:middle line:84% Harmony didn't quite grasp the distinction between pro 00:44:03.480 --> 00:44:05.760 align:middle line:84% and semi-pro but it didn't really matter, 00:44:05.760 --> 00:44:08.850 align:middle line:84% it was nice to have someone friendly to talk to. 00:44:08.850 --> 00:44:11.220 align:middle line:84% She told him she had been a showgirl, maybe still was, 00:44:11.220 --> 00:44:13.230 align:middle line:84% it depended on whether any producers in Reno 00:44:13.230 --> 00:44:14.970 align:middle line:90% happen to need one. 00:44:14.970 --> 00:44:16.650 align:middle line:84% Boston was optimistic, he said he 00:44:16.650 --> 00:44:19.410 align:middle line:84% didn't doubt she could get on with the show right away. 00:44:19.410 --> 00:44:20.910 align:middle line:84% It cheered her up even though it was 00:44:20.910 --> 00:44:23.160 align:middle line:84% obvious he didn't know the slightest thing about it. 00:44:23.160 --> 00:44:24.540 align:middle line:84% He even offered to buy her coffee 00:44:24.540 --> 00:44:27.200 align:middle line:84% but they called the bus about that time. 00:44:27.200 --> 00:44:29.310 align:middle line:84% It was getting dark when they pulled out. 00:44:29.310 --> 00:44:31.560 align:middle line:84% The sky in the west was still blue over the lights 00:44:31.560 --> 00:44:32.520 align:middle line:90% of the strip. 00:44:32.520 --> 00:44:34.380 align:middle line:84% She still loved seeing those lights. 00:44:34.380 --> 00:44:37.290 align:middle line:84% The big Dome was flashing in front of Caesars Palace 00:44:37.290 --> 00:44:40.320 align:middle line:90% and the Flamingo was all lit up. 00:44:40.320 --> 00:44:42.540 align:middle line:84% Since Boston didn't know much about Las Vegas, 00:44:42.540 --> 00:44:45.750 align:middle line:84% she pointed out the MGM Grand, and told him about the fire. 00:44:45.750 --> 00:44:47.250 align:middle line:84% They were nearly to the top and they 00:44:47.250 --> 00:44:50.490 align:middle line:84% happened to pass-- when they passed the Amoco station, 00:44:50.490 --> 00:44:52.710 align:middle line:84% Harmony happened to glance out and see Wendell. 00:44:52.710 --> 00:44:54.180 align:middle line:84% There were no cars in the station. 00:44:54.180 --> 00:44:56.013 align:middle line:84% Wendell was just standing there by the pumps 00:44:56.013 --> 00:44:58.710 align:middle line:84% in his clean uniform looking sad. 00:44:58.710 --> 00:45:01.118 align:middle line:84% She wanted so much to throw him a kiss. 00:45:01.118 --> 00:45:03.660 align:middle line:84% It would be quite a while before he got her windshield again, 00:45:03.660 --> 00:45:05.503 align:middle line:90% like forever probably. 00:45:05.503 --> 00:45:07.170 align:middle line:84% And she was remembering Pepper and being 00:45:07.170 --> 00:45:08.400 align:middle line:84% a parent and the problems and all, 00:45:08.400 --> 00:45:10.680 align:middle line:84% and it broke her heart that Wendell's son was actually 00:45:10.680 --> 00:45:13.380 align:middle line:84% dead and could never remember that he had been a good dad 00:45:13.380 --> 00:45:16.410 align:middle line:84% or stop being jealous or whatever. 00:45:16.410 --> 00:45:18.570 align:middle line:84% She began to cry for Wendell as they went on 00:45:18.570 --> 00:45:20.130 align:middle line:90% past the Tropicana. 00:45:20.130 --> 00:45:22.800 align:middle line:84% Boston was pretty upset by the sight of her tears. 00:45:22.800 --> 00:45:25.140 align:middle line:84% He thought maybe he had made a wrong move, offended her 00:45:25.140 --> 00:45:26.550 align:middle line:90% in some way. 00:45:26.550 --> 00:45:29.220 align:middle line:84% Harmony shook her head, no, she couldn't tell him 00:45:29.220 --> 00:45:33.390 align:middle line:84% the reasons about Didier being dead in their room-- 00:45:33.390 --> 00:45:35.880 align:middle line:84% about Didier being dead in their room at the Trop 00:45:35.880 --> 00:45:39.450 align:middle line:84% and her not admitting it about that or about any in her life. 00:45:39.450 --> 00:45:42.450 align:middle line:84% But it wasn't any wrong move, it was just a sight of Wendell. 00:45:42.450 --> 00:45:44.730 align:middle line:84% His sadness would go on forever, even if Myrtle 00:45:44.730 --> 00:45:47.880 align:middle line:90% did let up about the jealousy. 00:45:47.880 --> 00:45:49.850 align:middle line:84% The tears were too much for Boston though. 00:45:49.850 --> 00:45:52.350 align:middle line:84% 10 minutes later he had to go to the bathroom and on his way 00:45:52.350 --> 00:45:53.808 align:middle line:84% back he stopped and started talking 00:45:53.808 --> 00:45:55.800 align:middle line:84% to a Black girl who was traveling alone 00:45:55.800 --> 00:45:58.260 align:middle line:90% except for a transistor radio. 00:45:58.260 --> 00:46:00.523 align:middle line:84% Boston sat down with the Black girl and that was that. 00:46:00.523 --> 00:46:02.190 align:middle line:84% Once she stopped crying, Harmony thought 00:46:02.190 --> 00:46:03.398 align:middle line:90% it was probably for the best. 00:46:03.398 --> 00:46:06.000 align:middle line:84% If she had got off the bus talking it up with Boston, 00:46:06.000 --> 00:46:08.370 align:middle line:84% Ross might have got the wrong idea. 00:46:08.370 --> 00:46:10.350 align:middle line:84% Soon it was quite dark, just now and then 00:46:10.350 --> 00:46:13.080 align:middle line:84% a light far out in the desert of the wink of an airplane far up 00:46:13.080 --> 00:46:14.430 align:middle line:90% in the sky. 00:46:14.430 --> 00:46:16.650 align:middle line:84% Harmony had kind of supposed it was all just empty 00:46:16.650 --> 00:46:19.810 align:middle line:84% and they would zoom along and there Ross would be. 00:46:19.810 --> 00:46:21.900 align:middle line:84% But in fact, it was quite a few stops. 00:46:21.900 --> 00:46:23.310 align:middle line:84% Behind her she could finally hear 00:46:23.310 --> 00:46:25.170 align:middle line:84% Boston telling the Black girl about the life 00:46:25.170 --> 00:46:28.260 align:middle line:84% of the professional semi-pro but she wasn't really listening, 00:46:28.260 --> 00:46:30.540 align:middle line:84% it was just sounds in the background. 00:46:30.540 --> 00:46:33.480 align:middle line:84% After Tonopah, she got really drowsy and went to sleep. 00:46:33.480 --> 00:46:35.850 align:middle line:84% Reno was where everyone changed buses 00:46:35.850 --> 00:46:38.343 align:middle line:84% so there was no danger of her sleeping right through it. 00:46:38.343 --> 00:46:41.010 align:middle line:84% Ross knew how to tease and would tease her for months if she did 00:46:41.010 --> 00:46:43.132 align:middle line:84% something so dumb as that, but she didn't. 00:46:43.132 --> 00:46:45.090 align:middle line:84% She woke up while they were still in the desert 00:46:45.090 --> 00:46:47.880 align:middle line:84% and freshened up a bit as they were coming into town. 00:46:47.880 --> 00:46:49.620 align:middle line:84% Reno seemed bigger than it had been 00:46:49.620 --> 00:46:53.250 align:middle line:84% when she had come to it as Miss Las Vegas Showgirl. 00:46:53.250 --> 00:46:54.750 align:middle line:84% It had its share of lights, nothing 00:46:54.750 --> 00:46:57.360 align:middle line:84% to equal the strip, but quite a few. 00:46:57.360 --> 00:46:59.100 align:middle line:84% As they wheeled on into town, Harmony 00:46:59.100 --> 00:47:01.020 align:middle line:90% got nervous all of a sudden. 00:47:01.020 --> 00:47:04.110 align:middle line:84% One moment she had her optimism and felt very hopeful 00:47:04.110 --> 00:47:05.940 align:middle line:84% but then in a second the optimism went away 00:47:05.940 --> 00:47:07.980 align:middle line:84% and she began to think like Jessie thought. 00:47:07.980 --> 00:47:10.380 align:middle line:90% After all, it had been 14 years. 00:47:10.380 --> 00:47:12.945 align:middle line:84% It was definitely sort of crazy what she was doing. 00:47:12.945 --> 00:47:15.510 align:middle line:84% It even occurred to her that Linda could have showed up 00:47:15.510 --> 00:47:19.800 align:middle line:84% during the day, and Linda is a girl who is pregnant by Ross 00:47:19.800 --> 00:47:20.490 align:middle line:90% at the time. 00:47:20.490 --> 00:47:22.760 align:middle line:84% But she's a girl of another generation, Ross assured 00:47:22.760 --> 00:47:24.260 align:middle line:84% Harmony, didn't make any difference, 00:47:24.260 --> 00:47:26.333 align:middle line:84% she had a different attitude about these things. 00:47:26.333 --> 00:47:27.750 align:middle line:84% It even occurred to her that Linda 00:47:27.750 --> 00:47:28.890 align:middle line:84% could have showed up during the day 00:47:28.890 --> 00:47:30.557 align:middle line:84% and decided to keep Ross instead of just 00:47:30.557 --> 00:47:32.030 align:middle line:90% living with the girlfriend. 00:47:32.030 --> 00:47:34.530 align:middle line:84% It's hard not to be a little nervous, if Linda had come back 00:47:34.530 --> 00:47:36.255 align:middle line:90% it could all be off. 00:47:36.255 --> 00:47:38.880 align:middle line:84% She was just as glad Boston had settled in with the Black girl, 00:47:38.880 --> 00:47:40.047 align:middle line:90% one complication was enough. 00:47:40.047 --> 00:47:42.390 align:middle line:84% But then she stepped out into the cold bus station 00:47:42.390 --> 00:47:44.470 align:middle line:90% and Ross was right there. 00:47:44.470 --> 00:47:46.440 align:middle line:84% "Oh Ross, Pepper said hello," she said, 00:47:46.440 --> 00:47:48.998 align:middle line:84% "Didn't want to forget that important information." 00:47:48.998 --> 00:47:50.790 align:middle line:84% Of course she gave him a big hug but seeing 00:47:50.790 --> 00:47:51.960 align:middle line:90% him was sort of a shock. 00:47:51.960 --> 00:47:54.005 align:middle line:90% Ross seemed to have shrunk. 00:47:54.005 --> 00:47:55.380 align:middle line:84% Not that he had ever been a giant 00:47:55.380 --> 00:47:57.450 align:middle line:84% but definitely seemed to have shrunk. 00:47:57.450 --> 00:47:59.430 align:middle line:84% He had always had a kind of potato face, 00:47:59.430 --> 00:48:01.770 align:middle line:84% only the potato had shriveled a little in the bald spot 00:48:01.770 --> 00:48:03.780 align:middle line:90% and definitely taken over. 00:48:03.780 --> 00:48:06.450 align:middle line:84% Ross had hair on his temples but maybe only about 10 00:48:06.450 --> 00:48:07.725 align:middle line:90% on the top of his head. 00:48:07.725 --> 00:48:09.850 align:middle line:84% She was thinking that "I shouldn't have thrown away 00:48:09.850 --> 00:48:12.280 align:middle line:84% so many sweaters, it's cold up here in Reno." 00:48:12.280 --> 00:48:14.280 align:middle line:84% Then she got over the shock a little, after all, 00:48:14.280 --> 00:48:17.460 align:middle line:84% looks weren't everything, she had probably changed too. 00:48:17.460 --> 00:48:19.830 align:middle line:84% She noticed that Ross was sort of watching Boston 00:48:19.830 --> 00:48:22.500 align:middle line:84% who had his softball glove buttoned 00:48:22.500 --> 00:48:25.018 align:middle line:84% around the handle of his little traveling bag. 00:48:25.018 --> 00:48:27.060 align:middle line:84% Boston was moving right along with the Black girl 00:48:27.060 --> 00:48:28.895 align:middle line:90% and her transistor. 00:48:28.895 --> 00:48:31.020 align:middle line:84% "How come that ballplayer didn't take up with you?" 00:48:31.020 --> 00:48:33.360 align:middle line:84% Ross asked, "Don't he know the most beautiful woman 00:48:33.360 --> 00:48:35.290 align:middle line:90% in the world when he sees her?" 00:48:35.290 --> 00:48:37.890 align:middle line:84% "Oh Ross, he did, but I cried and scared him away," 00:48:37.890 --> 00:48:39.270 align:middle line:90% Harmony said. 00:48:39.270 --> 00:48:42.090 align:middle line:84% Then she grabbed his arm, forget about the potato face, 00:48:42.090 --> 00:48:45.510 align:middle line:84% he still had the soft little Kansas voice, plus best of all, 00:48:45.510 --> 00:48:47.640 align:middle line:90% Ross still had the sweet eyes. 00:48:47.640 --> 00:48:50.690 align:middle line:90% [APPLAUSE] 00:48:50.690 --> 00:49:08.154 align:middle line:90%