The halloween show

That Halloween I was the sexy bride of Frankenstein…Hank decided to do a thriller Halloween. I was to perform “I live among the Creatures of the Night”, Alton was dressed as a damsel in distress performing “Holding out for a Hero” Casper was performing “Let’s hear it for the Boy” as a cheer leader and Sammy, who changed his name to Sami, “I’m a Brass Band” as a marching majorette twirling a baton. Terry did Michael Jackson’s Thriller protesting all the way. “If I didn’t look so good as Michael Jackson I would be embarrassed performing as a boy…Why am I telling you, you’re never embarrassed.” Terry directed his remarks to Alton. “Terry I know I am not a good performer, but I AM PRETTY IN DRAG! “ Alton snapped back at Terry. The dressing room stood silent. None of us ever had seen Alton lose his cool. I pulled him out the side door.
“Don’t let that poor man’s sex change get to you.” I said comforting Alton as we lit our cigarettes. “ It’s not Terry, It’s just not the same without Rodger.” I knew what he was saying and he was right. We weren’t into this stuff, we were into the friendship that happened. The we heard the beep of a car horn and turned to see Carol Burnett driving an open top jeep. “RODGER!!!” we both laughed and ran to the parking lot to see him.
“What are you doing here?” I asked as I landed in his front seat. “I was at home feeling sorry for myself and decided to dress up and crash the parking lot.” We laughed as Rodger drove us around. We laughed as we fooled around teasing the parking lot men. It’s not every night you meet Carol Burnett, The Bride of Frankenstein and a damsel in distress in the parking lot of Feathers.
We were telling Rodger how much we missed him when we heard Terry screaming outside the side door for us to come in for the show. We kissed Rodger good-bye and went inside. The bar never looked as dark as it did that moment we entered the dressing room. One minute we were laughing with the full burst of joy that laughter is supposed to evoke and the next we are carrying the chains of hell as we prepared to perform for the people who just wanted to make fun of us.
The thing about performing in a gay bar is you know people aren’t there to throw roses, more like daggers. No one tells you how great you were, just how your make up looked scary or your heels didn’t match your dress.
Alton was nervous about his song. He wasn’t feeling it. I told him to leave it to me…I tied his arms behind him and attached the rope to the shelf behind the stage curtain…”They won’t expect you to move and dance because you’re tied up.” He was a hit, but depressed after the show.
“I think I am going to talk to Hank about leaving the shows…I met a guy and he’s not into drag queens.” Alton confided in me. “When did you meet this guy? And why didn’t you tell me?” I demanded to know. “I met him about a month ago…I tried telling you, but you get so caught up in these shows. “ “Alton I have to get Rodger back?” “Well when you do then I’ll return. I love you Eddy”
Alton left the shows that night and Hank banished him from our memory. I had to hold on to pictures and my determination to get us back on the stage. They were my friends and I had to make it right. I had to!
Till tomorrow, be kind