Go talk to the singer
From Create Your Own Story
Choice 1: The singer
Ahh, yes, I remember Lige. Haven’t seen much of him lately…. leads to memories of the Tommy Dorsey band, old swing club scene (Toronto fair?). I did know of a fellow named Jim Barnes who used to come there. Could it have been his? Colonel might know (used to hang out there)?
Or perhaps it could have belonged to a love interest of Lige’s? The jeweler should know
Audience Choice (Projection/Signage/App)
1.a) Track down the jeweler and ask him what he knows.
1.b) Ask more about the older gentleman.
Singer: The shop is still open, down on [Main Street]. Don’t know if he still works there, but they probably know where to find ‘im. [Emily follows lead] Real uppity guy. Some sort of Colonel or something. I think he spent a lot of time at [the local internment camp]. [Emily follows lead]
Music:
Swing tune
Images: Club scene footage
Characters in scene:
Emily, singer
Emily has been given information leading her to the Jazz Club. She is looking for the sultry singer that may know where the bracelet has come from. She sings a jazz standard relevant to the time and place.
EMILY enters THE FAT CAT JAZZ CLUB. Ambient restaurant noise is heard. We’re here between the lunch and dinner rush for this large restaurant. Only a few stragglers are found at other tables, quietly conversing. She is approached by the SINGER. She is an elderly German woman, but she has stayed in enough shape to keep her limber and loose, like her personality. She is very waterlike. Although she no longer performs at the club, she continues to work there as a hostess. She considers herself one of the club’s best assets. She approaches EMILY.
Singer: Dining room or lounge?
Emily: Excuse me?
Singer: Would you like a table or can I seat you at the bar?
Emily: It’s two thirty in the afternoon.
Singer: Oh darling, I don’t judge.
Emily: I’m not here for food or drinks. I’m looking for (Insert Jazz SInger’s Name).
Singer: Who asks?
Emily: Well, uhm, me! I’m Emily. (Singer stares at Emily. Waiting for more information) Oh! Yes. RIght. My uncle passed away…
SInger: (cutting her off) Oh, you poor sweet girl. Let me get you a gin martini. You can’t be sad with a little gin in you.
Emily: No. (beat) Thank you. I’m fine.
Singer: Schnopps? Come along, girl, you look pale! You need a little lebenskraft (translates to vigor/vitality/life force). I see, you’re a vodka kind of girl. Just like me, yah? (Shouting to bartender) BILL! Get me a martini!
Bill: (shouting from offstage) You’re over your limit!
SInger: Not for me, saukerl, for the girl! (Even louder) Her uncle is DEAD!
Emily: I don’t need a drink, really. [Looking for an excuse] I, uhm, quit.
Singer: You did, eh? Good for you. That takes a lot of [strength].
Emily: Yeah, anyway. I found this matchbook with a name written on it in my Uncle Lige’s cabin…
Singer: [Again cutting her off] DId you say Lige? Lige Florence. Of the 75th? My my, it has been a long time since I’ve heard that name…. He was a regular here at the Fat Cat when I just started out. I was only 16, but I told them I was 18 so I could sing with the band. People will believe anything, that is, anything they want to believe. (CUE MUSIC/LIGHT SHIFT) All the military men loved to come and watch me sing, and I would bathe in their adoration….
She begins to sing.
Singer: I don’t know why I’m feeling so sad……
Lover man, where can you be…
Music continues and she revels in her glory days. Dancing about the stage, interacting with the band, vying for attention from the men in the audience.
Emily: Sounds like you really knew how to live.
Singer: Like you couldn’t imagine…..but, those days are gone now...sad to hear about your uncle. He was a sweet man.
Emily: Is there any chance you know who this might belong to?
EMILY shows her the bracelet.
Singer (April?): (Fondling bracelet) Well now, isn’t that a sight. .Sure you know this is an I.D bracelet. This one looks extra special. Who it belongs to, I couldn’t say, the initials don’t seem familiar to me. The local jeweler used to make them for the service. He had one, hanging from a plastic hand in his shop window. Attracted lots of fine young ladies to his shop. Women looking to be a part of the Royal Air Force. None of them could buy it though. Much too pricey. But I do remember an older gentleman who showed a lot of interest in it.
Audience Choice (Projection/Signage/App) Track down the jeweler and ask him what he knows. Ask more about the older gentleman.
Singer: The shop is still open, down on Main Street. I don’t know if he still works there, but they probably know where to find him. [Emily follows lead] Very tight laced gentleman. What can you expect from the British. Some sort of Colonel or something. Always carried around beautiful silk handkerchiefs. I think he’s living at the nursing home down the road. (Emily follows lead)
