VIVA VIVACIOUS ... THERE COULD BE NO OTHER!

Hi all,


A little late getting back from a family Easter on the west coast of Florida. So today's post is a bit later. I'm sorry I haven't been around. My cousin doesn't have roaming internet service in her house. Today I am hoping to play catch up this morning. Here is a Vivacious tale.

Inhaling the final breath, a tattered woman released a high C note from her slim throat and shattered a wine glass which sat upon an occupied table. The supper club owner waved her off stage with an agitated gesture.

“No. No. We ‘ave no use for a soprano singer ‘ere.” He cleared the broken glass from his plate and continued to eat his lunch.

She lowered her head and dragged herself off stage. As she opened the door, a damp wind ripped into her from the rainy streets of Paris. Not quite remembering the last meal she ate, the starved woman walked the lonely streets block after block. Her meager coat absorbing each drop falling from the sky.

Upon entering at a sooty, broken down building, she barely climbed the six flights of stairs to her room. With a shaky hand, she pulled out a large, brass key, opened the creaky wooden door, and collapsed onto the bed.

A cockroach the size of a half-eaten breadstick scurried across her chest. Shrieking, “I have had enough of this!” she scooped up the crunchy insect,

Staggering out the door with little hope for her plan, she managed to get down he stairs and walk to the nearest bistro.

The wafting aroma of beef bourgeon overpowered her senses as the host escorted her to a linen-clothed table for two. She ordered a glass of red wine to calm her nerves. A whirlwind of activity buzzed around her as the waiter placed the wine on the table and waited to take her order.

After a deep sip, “Le boeuf bourgeon, si vous plait,” escaped her lips.

“Qui, Mademoiselle. Tout suite!” He raced away.

She stared around the room and glanced at the handsome middle-aged man a few tables away. He lifted his glass of wine to her and smiled. She blushed and lowered her eyes. Still smiling, he stood and stepped over to her.

“May I join you, Mademoiselle?” I heard your beautiful voice and Chez Lui earlier today.”

She looked up with widened eyes.

“I just happen to be waiting to speak with Monsieur Lui as you auditioned.”

“Oh, I see. Very well, please sit down Monsieur?”

“Todd. But, please call me Toddy ... everyone does.” He took the seat across from her. 

The waiter arrived, placing the entree in front of her. Toddy nostrils flared. “It smells delicious.” He locked his eyes on hers. “May I be so forward as to ask you something?” 

She nodded.

“When I saw you this afternoon, it looked as if you were down to your last franc, How on earth can you afford this place?”

After swallowing her first bite, she paled. “I can’t. But I have a plan.”  She smirked and explained about the little friend she had in her purse. “Just as my salad is served, I will drop it in.”

Toddy laughed. “That’s the oldest trick in the book. Do you really think you can get away with it?”

“This is no ordinary bug, I assure you.” She caught him eyeing her dinner. “Are you hungry?”

He blushed, then nodded. 

“Please, by my guest. Order anything you wish. I highly recommend the boeuf bourgeon. Garcon!”

“Well, if such a charming Mademoiselle is offering to buy me dinner, I would like to know her name.”

She beamed. “Victoria. Victoria Grant.” 

Well friends this is the beginning of the incredibly funny and charming story Victor Victoria. A woman, pretending to be a man, pretending to be a woman in order to make a living in 1930’s Paris. I hope you enjoyed my version. If you haven’t seen this movie, do so, it is HYSTERICAL!