Ch 2: The Last Concert
It was the day after Christmas and Potsie Webber and his friends couldn't believe how fast Christmas Day had come and gone. At 1:07 PM Potsie was off until 7:00 PM because he had a concert to do. The concert would be a good time to use the guitar from his friend, Arthur Fonzarelli, had given him for Christmas and he could tell him he started using it.
The week before Christmas and New Year's was always a bit hectic; this year especially with the last show of the year tonight. Ralph and his co - worker/girlfriend, Madeline, flying in had been a pleasant surprise although he wasn't sure how Fonzie had taken the news that Ralph was in a relationship by the looks of things. Christmas had been so festive with all the colored lights and decorations, he was feeling a definite letdown. His fingers picked at the strings; the show tonight and then a break until after the New Year. He found himself looking forward to the New Year with anticipation.
While playing the new guitar, Potsie drifted in thought. The guitar had been a good choice with a deep, rich sound, better than his old one. Ralph and Madeline returned to his mind; Ralph giving Madeline a beautiful engagement ring of pearls and accompanying proposal and had surprised everyone on hindsight and opened an area in Potsie's life he hadn't thought of in years. He had gotten lucky, his career had taken off and with yearly tours and recording sessions; relationships were out of the question. What woman wanted to stay home while he took off for months on tour? He had his friends and that was enough for now. Deciding to pray for the show, Potsie putt he guitar away.
Going through the prayer list had taken longer than planned; by the time he finished, it was time to grab something to eat. He had learned the hard way about going onstage on an empty stomach. No one had mentioned getting together for a New Year's party but they always did. He made a mental note to think of something special for the party. All too soon, it was time to leave.
While driving to the Grand Ole Opry, Potsie knew he had his career. Now, he had a recording career even if he had never thought he would become a recording artist. He had always wanted to sing on stage. Being a religious man, he liked to pray for hours when nobody was around to disturb him. He went to church every Sunday, even finding a church to attend to while on tour.
He had time to dress at the Opry as Keith would be doing the opening act. And too, there was the physical therapy appointment from his fall before Christmas. He would have to bring up the tour with the therapist and see what could be done.
The auditorium was packed to standing room only. Potsie had never paid much attention to the groupies that crowded the stage and tonight was no different. They came in all sizes, shapes, young, pretty but one thing in common: they screamed. Very loud. He spotted her towards the end of the first set; she wasn't crowding the stage away from the groupies, swaying with the beat. He became aware of her face first then the bright smile when she realized he was looking at her.
The blue dress was fashionable with a white scarf that hung just below her shoulders, accepting and complimenting her appearance. In all the years he'd spent on stage he's never missed a note, always nailing each and every notation with precision. Until tonight. He missed a note, recovering quickly, but not before he felt the rush of heat and sweating palms. He had to meet this mystery woman who had upset him so much; he hoped she would be part of the crowd wanting an autograph. Yet in the pit of his stomach he felt fear, fear she would be waiting.
He finished the set, and as usual went to sign autographs. He caught a glimpse of retreating blue. A feeling of lose overcame him; he couldn't miss out meeting her now! His friend Fonzie could find her but he had this urge to meet her now, tonight. Every second counted, one chance to stop her and he needed help. He had never felt this way about a woman; with new feelings he barely recognized, he raced for the stage. Without thinking, he picked up his guitar on the way to the microphone.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I need your help. There is a woman with a certain smile leaving the auditorium. She's blond, wearing a blue dress with a white shawl. Please ask if she would return to the stage."
Was it a small voice or just intuition? He would never know; he did what he did best, he started to sing.
A certain smile, a certain face
Can lead an unsuspecting heart on a merry chase.
A fleeting glance can say so many lovely things,
Suddenly you know why my heart sings.*
"I hope you realize just how embarrassing this is." She was beyond upset. Her arms holding the shawl across her breasts.
Potsie was speechless as he gazed into steel - blue eyes, aware of steel daggers thrown his way from the most intriguing eyes that he had ever seen. Eyes that could launch a thousand ships and sink the same vessels. If he wanted a chance with this mystery woman, he'd have to tread softly and do it fast. Sitting the guitar aside, he made his way off the stage, stopping in front of her.
"I...I'm sorry if I embarrassed you, that wasn't my intent."
"And just what is your intent, Mr. Webber?" She wasn't backing down, holding her ground. "Are you 'hitting' on me?"
"What's this 'hitting'? I haven't even touched you." Her eyes softened but remained guarded, a wary smile began playing at the corners of her mouth.
"You're new at this, aren't you, Mr. Webber?" Her arms relaxed, her smile growing. Taking this as a good sign, he returned the smile.
"Isn't that obvious? Please, call me Potsie. I usually have breakfast at 'Arnold's' after the show before going home. Would you like to do me the honor of joining me?"
The woman looked at him as if studying something under a microscope. The crowd had grown quiet around the two, awaiting her answer.
"Thank you, but I don't think so. I don't date. Good - night, Mr. Webber." She started to turn, intended to walk away.
"If you're worried that I'm asking for a date...how about a non - date?" He had to stop her.
"A non - date?" She stopped, turning her attention back to him. "What do you mean?"
"We share breakfast but it's not a 'date.'" 'Please say yes!' he thought.
"I'll accept on one condition, Mr. Webber. I'm with friends, and the condition is that they join us."
She laughed and Potsie thought he would do near anything to hear that laugh again...and again. The crowd erupted in applause.
"As long as they don't number over twenty - five." 'Yes!'
"Only two others. There is one thing you could do to make up for embarrassing me..." Her smile had moved to her eyes, her rich laughter filled his heart.
"Name it and it's yours."
"Please finish 'A Certain Smile.'"
Note: A Certain Smile 1958, performed by Johnny Mathis, music by Sammy Fain, lyrics by Paul Webster. Written for the 1958 movie by the same name, nominated for the original song. Descriptions by co - writer
It was the day after Christmas and Potsie Webber and his friends couldn't believe how fast Christmas Day had come and gone. At 1:07 PM Potsie was off until 7:00 PM because he had a concert to do. The concert would be a good time to use the guitar from his friend, Arthur Fonzarelli, had given him for Christmas and he could tell him he started using it.
The week before Christmas and New Year's was always a bit hectic; this year especially with the last show of the year tonight. Ralph and his co - worker/girlfriend, Madeline, flying in had been a pleasant surprise although he wasn't sure how Fonzie had taken the news that Ralph was in a relationship by the looks of things. Christmas had been so festive with all the colored lights and decorations, he was feeling a definite letdown. His fingers picked at the strings; the show tonight and then a break until after the New Year. He found himself looking forward to the New Year with anticipation.
While playing the new guitar, Potsie drifted in thought. The guitar had been a good choice with a deep, rich sound, better than his old one. Ralph and Madeline returned to his mind; Ralph giving Madeline a beautiful engagement ring of pearls and accompanying proposal and had surprised everyone on hindsight and opened an area in Potsie's life he hadn't thought of in years. He had gotten lucky, his career had taken off and with yearly tours and recording sessions; relationships were out of the question. What woman wanted to stay home while he took off for months on tour? He had his friends and that was enough for now. Deciding to pray for the show, Potsie putt he guitar away.
Going through the prayer list had taken longer than planned; by the time he finished, it was time to grab something to eat. He had learned the hard way about going onstage on an empty stomach. No one had mentioned getting together for a New Year's party but they always did. He made a mental note to think of something special for the party. All too soon, it was time to leave.
While driving to the Grand Ole Opry, Potsie knew he had his career. Now, he had a recording career even if he had never thought he would become a recording artist. He had always wanted to sing on stage. Being a religious man, he liked to pray for hours when nobody was around to disturb him. He went to church every Sunday, even finding a church to attend to while on tour.
He had time to dress at the Opry as Keith would be doing the opening act. And too, there was the physical therapy appointment from his fall before Christmas. He would have to bring up the tour with the therapist and see what could be done.
The auditorium was packed to standing room only. Potsie had never paid much attention to the groupies that crowded the stage and tonight was no different. They came in all sizes, shapes, young, pretty but one thing in common: they screamed. Very loud. He spotted her towards the end of the first set; she wasn't crowding the stage away from the groupies, swaying with the beat. He became aware of her face first then the bright smile when she realized he was looking at her.
The blue dress was fashionable with a white scarf that hung just below her shoulders, accepting and complimenting her appearance. In all the years he'd spent on stage he's never missed a note, always nailing each and every notation with precision. Until tonight. He missed a note, recovering quickly, but not before he felt the rush of heat and sweating palms. He had to meet this mystery woman who had upset him so much; he hoped she would be part of the crowd wanting an autograph. Yet in the pit of his stomach he felt fear, fear she would be waiting.
He finished the set, and as usual went to sign autographs. He caught a glimpse of retreating blue. A feeling of lose overcame him; he couldn't miss out meeting her now! His friend Fonzie could find her but he had this urge to meet her now, tonight. Every second counted, one chance to stop her and he needed help. He had never felt this way about a woman; with new feelings he barely recognized, he raced for the stage. Without thinking, he picked up his guitar on the way to the microphone.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I need your help. There is a woman with a certain smile leaving the auditorium. She's blond, wearing a blue dress with a white shawl. Please ask if she would return to the stage."
Was it a small voice or just intuition? He would never know; he did what he did best, he started to sing.
A certain smile, a certain face
Can lead an unsuspecting heart on a merry chase.
A fleeting glance can say so many lovely things,
Suddenly you know why my heart sings.*
"I hope you realize just how embarrassing this is." She was beyond upset. Her arms holding the shawl across her breasts.
Potsie was speechless as he gazed into steel - blue eyes, aware of steel daggers thrown his way from the most intriguing eyes that he had ever seen. Eyes that could launch a thousand ships and sink the same vessels. If he wanted a chance with this mystery woman, he'd have to tread softly and do it fast. Sitting the guitar aside, he made his way off the stage, stopping in front of her.
"I...I'm sorry if I embarrassed you, that wasn't my intent."
"And just what is your intent, Mr. Webber?" She wasn't backing down, holding her ground. "Are you 'hitting' on me?"
"What's this 'hitting'? I haven't even touched you." Her eyes softened but remained guarded, a wary smile began playing at the corners of her mouth.
"You're new at this, aren't you, Mr. Webber?" Her arms relaxed, her smile growing. Taking this as a good sign, he returned the smile.
"Isn't that obvious? Please, call me Potsie. I usually have breakfast at 'Arnold's' after the show before going home. Would you like to do me the honor of joining me?"
The woman looked at him as if studying something under a microscope. The crowd had grown quiet around the two, awaiting her answer.
"Thank you, but I don't think so. I don't date. Good - night, Mr. Webber." She started to turn, intended to walk away.
"If you're worried that I'm asking for a date...how about a non - date?" He had to stop her.
"A non - date?" She stopped, turning her attention back to him. "What do you mean?"
"We share breakfast but it's not a 'date.'" 'Please say yes!' he thought.
"I'll accept on one condition, Mr. Webber. I'm with friends, and the condition is that they join us."
She laughed and Potsie thought he would do near anything to hear that laugh again...and again. The crowd erupted in applause.
"As long as they don't number over twenty - five." 'Yes!'
"Only two others. There is one thing you could do to make up for embarrassing me..." Her smile had moved to her eyes, her rich laughter filled his heart.
"Name it and it's yours."
"Please finish 'A Certain Smile.'"
Note: A Certain Smile 1958, performed by Johnny Mathis, music by Sammy Fain, lyrics by Paul Webster. Written for the 1958 movie by the same name, nominated for the original song. Descriptions by co - writer