The story goes on

We decided to go to Feathers that night. We went back to Rodgers to freshen up and grab a “disco nap”. When we entered the bar the whole downstairs applauded for our entry. I kept looking behind me thinking someone else had commanded such attention, but no one was there. The attention was all ours. Hank greeted us and led us to the bar. “What ever they want is on me.” He called out to Marty the bartender. It was a nice gesture even though Kenny Alton and I never paid for drinks.
Kenny Casper came running up to us and did the fake “brush kiss cheek” move. You know the move, they pretend to go in to kiss you and then suddenly jerk their head and you end up kissing their cheek or ear lobe. Casper was famous for his pretentiousness, but he was and is a good egg and a faithful friend. He came running over asking when our next show was going to be. “Sister the grapevine has you performing next Tuesday!” He squealed. “Well, sister, stamp those grapes sour because we are not performing” I was a damned about it! I was standing my ground. I noticed that Kenny Alton was shifting towards the dark side. He had gotten several phone numbers from HOT bi guys in drag and was looking for a reason to dress up.
Rodger came over with Hank. Hank asked if the bartender was treating us nicely, that should have been my first sign that Hank was up to something. “Marty, is treating us terrific! Why?” I inquired. “Well, I think he has a favor to ask of you.”
Marty went on tell us that he was throwing a USO party night at the bar. He wanted to decorate the dance floor as a MASH tent, have the bartenders in uniforms and have dance contests. They would have shot specials and even create a mess hall on the lower level. It sounded like so much fun. I inadvertently mentioned if there was anything I could do to help I would be glad to!
“Well,” Hank chimed in, “Marty was thinking that the Andrews Sisters would be the perfect entertainment.”
OH MY GOD! “Would you mind? Sammy agreed to do an Ethel Merman number.” Marty had puppy dog eyes that made you melt. Marty was such a sweet guy and never asked for anything, just a smile. How could I say no, but I had to remember my reputation. I didn’t want to be labeled a drag queen. Rodger and Alton agreed leaving me the last one to cave. “Why not, I couldn’t think of anyone else I would do this for.” He gave me a kiss on the lips, no tongue but no cheek either. I still can feel that kiss.
The show was in two weeks and before I knew it I was back at Rodger’s apartment learning Andrew Sister songs and dance steps. Rodger had wanted us to learn new songs because, you never want them to see you in the same dress and you never want them to see you perform the same song.
Rodger felt that the hair color was enough to distinguish, unlike the 3rd of July when one was all red, white and blue. He also decided against the patriotic outfits and wanted a more evening wear look. “I have over one hundred black dresses for you two to choose from.” I felt my manhood shrink smaller and smaller- not that it was ever towering, but dressing in dresses!
This time there was no first time dinner or fanfare. Sammy showed up early and hung with us, he had brought Casper and the two of them got a kick out of Rodgers closets. They were blown away! Rodger had them trying on dressed and heels.
We got to the club and Marty had arranged for four dozen roses to be in the dressing room, a dozen for each of us. That was Marty. We performed to a packed house and I have to be honest a lot of them were there to see us again. Feathers was the most sort after stage and so many people came out to see why we were so special. Drag queens were forming at the mouth with envy. I would have gladly given anyone of them my spot on stage, but Hank felt he had “created” the perfect combination when he pairs us all up. We were called upon to do an encore and Rodger felt it was alright to repeat “Beer Barrel Polka” being we included the audience and danced with them. He also liked the Dee-Jay’s added effect of lowering the lights and ending the show midway through the number. It was all theatrics. Little did I know how theatrical it would become as Hank started to direct our lives on and off stage.

Till Tomorrow, Be Kind