Am I Blue? part 1

This is a story inspired by the song "Am I Blue?". This is part 1 in a series stay tuned for part two coming soon.

Am I Blue? part 1

By: Taylor Campbell

The lights of the city were breathtaking from the view of the apartment. The Empire State Building, still in construction, the Chrysler building just about finished, created a stark contrast to the   men shivering in soup lines begging to protect and serve their families. Yet despite this, one could look at the rising New York skyline and know that progress is happening. It was a good time to be alive. It was a good time to be an American, unless that American’s name is Chase Hunting.

As Chase sat forlorn looking down, he knew that there were thousands who looked to his position, but there was only one that he wanted desperately to be with him looking down. A knock was heard at the door. Chase opened it to see the cabbie. “You Chase Hunting?” Chase nodded.

“Well, your guys are waiting for ya at grand central. May I take your bag?” Chase handed the young man his suitcase. As Chase walked away, he paused only a moment to gaze at the city he loved, never to return.

It was only a year ago that things were a lot more stable as far as money was concerned. The end of all war had come and pass and the world was enjoying a peaceful bliss. Chase loved the streets of Manhattan. Surrounding himself with so many people with their own dreams and ambitions drove him. He took his contact cards and went to work.

“Welcome to Maccabee’s, how many to sit?” asked the host

“Actually I have an appointment with…” he looks at a contact card “… ‘Big Papa?’”

“Right this way sir.” The waiter gestured towards the band stand. A large black man was seated at the piano. The modern rhythms and the swinging beats coming from him and his band electrified the crowd. The dance floor was filled. It took every bit of control from Chase not to join in.

The set was over and Chase approached the piano player “excuse me, are you ‘Big Papa’?”

“Ah, you must be that young man who talked to me on the phone!” bellowed the man. His pearly white teeth from his smile showing that this was a man who thoroughly loved his job. The kind of thing Chase longed for.

“I’m here about the audition you offered….” Chase was cut short when ‘Big Papa’ turned his back and faced the audience.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I have a friend here who would like to play for the bunch of ya! Please give him a hand!”  a couple faint claps trickled through the fickle audience. Most sitting in skepticism. The regulars knew that making it into ‘Big Papas’ players is not an easy task. Many a musician have been broken by Papas impromptu audition ceremony. Chase calls the key of Bb and stands at the microphone

Am I blue?

Am I blue?

Ain’t these tears in my eyes telling you?

The song finished and the crowd erupted in tears and applause. Chase had the stuff and Papa had a new vocalist.

____________

The bell hop placed Chase’s suitcase in the back of the taxi. Chase slid into the back right seat. He used to prefer this side. He felt it always had a better view of the city. Today he was sitting there out of habit. The driver made his way toward grand central station where Chases train would be waiting. The taxi passed central park, the small sandwich shop, and a tuxedo rental store. The store sat where Maccabee’s original location was. Memories further enveloped Chase.

______________

The set finished. Chase sang for several hours through the night. 2 am meant it was time to go home and the band packed up, ready to come back again the next afternoon.

Claire was the only one who stayed the whole time- or at least she was the only sober one. Claire was a modern girl. Her hair and makeup were carbon copies of the great models in the tabloids and pin-ups. Her dress was the latest fashion.

Claire liked the atmosphere of the place but her favorite activity wasn’t the dancing or the drinking or even the great Italian food. It was hunting. Every day men would offer her a drink, and every day she rejected it. She found it a fun game of cat and mouse. It’s the 20^th century. No one can control her, yet something stirred her when Chase sang.

Chase sat at the bar after packing up. I’ll take a martini. Lemon twist. Shaken not stirred.” Claire quickly ordered the same.

“Hey doll, come here often?” Claire acknowledged the comment then went back to her drink. “I’ve been watching. That’s the first drink you have had tonight.” He pointed out. Claire shrugged it away.

“Well, it’s a time to celebrate isn’t it? Not every day we get a new singer.”

“It’s a job. It pays, I play. So doll, let’s start with your name”

“Claire.”
click here to get to Part 2