The Dull Return

Returning from Fire Island to River Edge New Jersey was such a let down, but it was the famous Feathers Monday Dollar night and we had a Fab tan! (This was before the sun caused skin cancer and we could bake in the sun. They actually sold foil sun mat! It looked like a roll of aluminum foil and you would unroll it and lay in the sun. You would bake, but you would get a date-gay men loved tanned guys.)
Of course we relayed how we were island stars, it’s not like anyone was there to see us. But Sammy somehow found out! “So I heard you bombed on the Island and they’re not letting you back!” “Give me a drink and shut up. I missed your drinks.” Casper ordered. “Not everyone can make a drink like me.” Sammy basked in the compliment until Casper added, as he took the drink…”Mary anyone can make a vodka cranberry, but you don’t charge me.”
We may have bombed on the Island, but we had our home bar. Terry came out to promote his solo show that Tuesday. Alton and I were happy that the pressure of the shows was off our shoulders. Hank had lost interest in us and that was fine. Customers still came up to us and told us how much they missed us. We thanked them and tried to change the subject. I assume they said the same thing to Hank because off of a sudden he came up with a turnabout night. “Turnabout night?” “The guys portray you girls and you girls pretend to be guys.” Hank rambled on…”But we are guys.” I had to remind Hank.
Terry was drafted to replace Rodger, “I don’t do group numbers Hank Darling” Terry reminded Hank. “You will if you want to do shows here.”
The Feather Men were the new Featherette’s doing our old songs. Because Terry was in charge of the music he conveniently lost our group songs. Hank had old 45’s for us to chose from to perform that night. I think I did “Venus” or some other silly like that. Alton refused to do the show “I don’t know any of these songs and I don’t want to look foolish.”
“Now you’re concerned about what you look like on stage? You are a weak link.” Hank turned his back on Alton.
The damage was done and once Alton stood up to Hank, Hank was out for him. I had to throw myself between the two of them. I had one thing that not even Terry had, I had talent, not the talent I wanted, but the talent to get my friends what they wanted. Rodger wanted to be back at the club and Alton wanted him as much as I did so I had a mission. The return of the original Featherette’s.