Chapter 34

I gave directions to where we were going to dinner. “Isn’t this the hotel that Doris Day owns?” Ally asked.

“I believe so,” I answered. I pointed to the separate entrance to the restaurant and lounge. They were all dressed very nice.

We were seated in the lounge and given menus. Katie sat on the other side of me, noticing the piano. “Do you have something up your sleeve, young man?”

“May-be,” I said.

When our server came up to us, I asked, “Is there anyone playing or singing tonight?”

“No, not until Thursday night. I am sorry,” he said.

I ordered my dinner and noticed a mic by the piano. I excused myself and walked toward the piano.

“What is he doing?” I heard my mother say louder than she probably meant to.

A large black bouncer came up to me and said, “This is not amateur night ... I need you to leave, please?”

“Give me ten minutes, if I don’t have everyone singing and/or applauding in ten minutes, I will go quietly. Could you get the microphones turned on?”

I began to softly play as my stable of ladies was trying to figure out what I was up to. I heard the crackle of the mic turning on as I pulled it to me.

“Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls. My name is Michael Robert Thomas Junior. I am a musician back at Lincoln High School in Vincennes, Indiana. We are visiting here, and I saw a piano and I couldn’t not come up and play...”

I started to play a little bit of “I Dreamed a Dream,” and then some of “For Good.” With each snippet the applause came out a little.

“I have my girlfriend, my mother, her mother and a friend of the family here with me.” I went back to the opening measures of “I Dreamed a Dream.”

“Ladies and Gentlemen, may I introduce to you Miss Jennifer Guthrie?”

She couldn’t believe what I was doing, but the entertainer in her got her up and she smiled as she walked to me. The applause grew as they noticed how pretty she was.

“This is the song that was playing when we first met.”

She took my microphone and got it to the correct height...

JENNIFER GUTHRIE
J’avais rêvé d’une autre vie
Mais la vie a tué mes rêves
Comme on étouffe les derniers cris
D’un animal que l’on achève

J’avais rêvé d’un coeur si grand
Que le mien puisse y trouver place
Mais mon premier prince charmant
Fut l’assassin de mon enfance

J’ai payé de toutes mes larmes
La rançon d’un petit bonheur
une socéité qui désarme
La victime, et pas le voleur

J’avais rêvé d’un seul amour
Durant jusqu’ la fin du monde
Dont on ne fait jamais le tour
Aussi vrai que la terre est ronde

J’avais rêvé d’une autre vie
Mais la vie a tué mes rêves
A peine commence, elle finit
Comme un court printemps qui s’achève

J’avais rêvé d’une autre vie
Mais la vie a tué mes rêves
Apeine commence, elle finit
Comme un court printemps qui s’achève

I had asked her to learn the french version of Fantines song and her Lincoln High teacher helped with her pronunciation.

What a marvelous sound of applause came from the 150 Plus people there. I looked at the bouncer who had given me a big thumbs up. I got up and Jenn and I kissed as she went to sit down. She will forever be connected with this piece of music, whether it be in English or in French.

Back to the piano bench I went, bringing the mic back to me.

“She is sixteen, I am fourteen. Would you like to hear some more?”

“Yeah,” came from all around me.

“Has anyone ever heard of a singer named Janice Forrester?” A few yells came from the crowd. “That’s my mother. Come on Mom, they all want to hear you sing, don’t you?”

A swell of support came up as she got up again to some catcalls as she walked sternly towards me. She is still very good looking!

“What do you want to sing, Janice?”

“How about ‘Colors of The Wind,’ from POCAHONTAS?”

I went right into it as she took the mic stand back from me. The bouncer put a hot mic on the piano itself for me to use.

I started playing the song...

JANICE MARIE ELIZABETH FORRESTER-THOMAS
You think you own
whatever land you land on
The Earth is just a dead
thing you can claim
But, I know every rock
and tree and creature
has a life, has a spirit,
has a name

(She was getting into it as she went on)

You think the only people
who are people
Are the people who
look and think like you
But if you walk the
footsteps of a stranger
You will learn things you
never knew you never knew
Have you ever heard the wolf
cry to the blue corn moon
Or asked the grinning
bobcat why he grinned?
Can you sing with all the
voices of the mountains?
Can you paint with all
the colors of the wind?
Can you paint with all
the colors of the wind?

(A few measures of me showing off... )

Come run the hidden pine
trails of the forest
Come taste the sun
sweet berries of the Earth
Come roll in all the
riches all around you
And for once, never
wonder what they’re worth
The rainstorm and
the river are my brothers
The heron and
the otter are my friends
And we are all
connected to each other
In a circle, in a
hoop that never ends

Have you ever heard the
wolf cry to the blue corn moon
For whether we are
white or copper skinned
We need to sing with all
the voices of the mountains
We need to paint with
all the colors of the wind

You can own the Earth and still
All you will own is Earth until
You can paint with all
the colors of the ... wind

I finished with the kind of flair she would have added. Again, the crowd loved it. I got up and gave her a healthy kiss ... on the cheek and restarted the applause myself as she went back to sit down.

I went back to the piano and said, “One more before I sit down to my dinner. I would think most of you ... of a certain age might know this song. Sing along with the chorus if you would like. The remarkable songwriting team of Jay Livingstone and Ray Evans wrote it in 1956. It goes like this...”

MICHAEL THOMAS
When I was just a little boy
I asked my mother
What will I be
Will I be handsome
Will I be rich
Here’s what she said to me
Que sera, sera
Whatever will be, will be
The future’s not ours to see
Que sera, sera
What will be, will be
When I grew up
and fell in love
I asked my sweetheart
What lies ahead
Will we have rainbows
Day after day
Here’s what my sweetheart said

“EVERYBODY SING ALONG”

Que sera, sera
Whatever will be, will be
The future’s not ours to see
Que sera, sera
What will be, will be
When I have
children of my own
They will ask their father
What will I be
Will I be handsome
Will I be rich
I will tell them tenderly

“EVERYBODY ... YOU KNOW THIS”

Que sera, sera
whatever will be, will be
the future’s not ours to see
Que sera, sera
what will be, will be
Que Sera, Sera

I stood up and sang the last line without playing. I walked to my table and I took a bow. Everyone applauded loudly.

“Damn, that was fantastic Michael,” Katie said excitedly. “What can I sing for you?”

“Jennifer, do you know the Cece part of “Anything You Can Do?”

“Yeah,” she quick responded.

“I haven’t forgotten about you, Alice. How about “My Funny Valentine?”

“I love it. You have the perfect match of showman, and bullshitter I have heard in my entire life,” she said.

I got in as much eating as I could as many folks came up to say how much they liked seeing youngsters enjoying themselves. The manager of the place came up and said, “Mr. Thomas, your dinner is on the house. Thank you so much. Will you be doing any more tonight?”

“If that is all right with you? I was thinking of going until the place closed. We are here on vacation.”

“That can be arranged. Again, thank you for being so very talented.”

I saw all the ladies smile at me, and I said, “I know what you can sing. I won’t leave anybody out, I promise.”

About fifteen minutes later, I got up and a spotlight came on as I went to the piano. While quietly playing “The Rose” I started up...

“So far, you have only heard my girlfriend and my mother. In a little while, the sexiest woman in this room will come up and sing for us. She is my music teacher and a close friend of the family.”

I played an instrumental of the classic, “It’s Been a Long Long Time.” I was thinking of Mike Bell all the way through it.

They instantly recognized it and I smiled looking up at the crowd. I saw shoes tapping in time, hands being held and lots of people mouthing along with the parts they knew.

As it ended, the applause came back.

“Irving Berlin wrote much music in his lifetime before dying in 1989 at the age of 101. He wrote some complete musical scores, many recognizable, including the Tony Award winning musical ANNIE GET YOUR GUN. At my school, I took and tweaked the lyrics to a song from it called ‘Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better.’ Coming up to sing the song, are Miss Jennifer Guthrie and Miss Jennifer Stapleton.”

I stood up and led the applause for these two magnificent ladies. Many ‘whoo-hoos’ and wolf whistles were given to both of them. I sat back down and began...

JENN
Anything you can do
I can do better...
I can do anything
better than you

KATIE
No, you can’t
JENN
Yes, I can
KATIE
No, you can’t
JENN
Yes, I can
KATIE
No, you can’t
JENN
Yes, I can, yes, I can

Oh my, did the crowd love this musical remake. As both girls giggled & bounced, the applause and laughter got better and bigger.

As it finished, they ended up back to back. Wow, can my girls perform!

I brought things back to a near normal level, as I transitioned to talking about Frank Sinatra...

“Back in New Jersey, in 1915, one of the greatest singers of all time was born. He was known simply as ‘The Voice.’ One of my favorite of his songs, my future mother-in-law loves and would like to sing for you tonight. Ms. Alice Guthrie, please come up?”

She had on a striking black dress with a scoop collar. She grabbed the microphone and looked nervous. I gave her a musical cue, once ... and then again ... I started to sing...

MICHAEL
Behold the way our
fine feathered friend,
his virtue doth parade
Thou knowest not,
my dim-witted friend,
the picture thou hast made
Thy vacant brow
and thy tousled hair
conceal thy good intent
Thou noble upright
truthful sincere
and slightly dopey gent ... and

(She took a breath and began... )

ALICE GUTHRIE
You’re my funny valentine,
Sweet comic valentine
You make me smile with my heart

(Her musical phrasing is magnificent)

Your looks are laughable,
Un-photographable
yet, I am your favorite work of art

Is my figure less than Greek?
Is my mouth a little weak?
When you open yours to
speak are you smart

But, don’t change a hair for me,
Not if you care for me
Stay little valentine, stay,
Each day is Valentine’s Day

Is my figure less than Greek?
Is my mouth a little weak?
When you open yours to
speak are you smart

But, don’t change a hair for me,
Not if you care for me
Stay little valentine, stay,
Each day is Valentine’s Day

Mom, Jenn and Katie all stood up for her. I came over and we hugged, and she said, “Thank you, Michael.”

“Here she is. It’s been a while for her performing in public. But, don’t get her started about her high school production of OH! CALCUTTA?”

She waved as she went to sit down.

What an evening this was. Every hour I took a ten-minute break, but most of the folks were staying, just to listen to the five of us.

Mom came back up to sing, “Feed The Birds,” Jenn came up and sang, “If You Got it, Flaunt It” (without the dancing) and Ally sang “Hernando’s Hideaway.”

Katie relieved me at the piano and played and sang, “Let It Go” from FROZEN. Jenn and Ally sang “Not While I’m Around,” from SWEENEY TODD. It was a wonderfully touching couple of minutes we turned into a mother/daughter moment.

Our last song of the evening was Katie singing “On My Own.” I double-checked with her and she had insisted.

She poured every ounce of emotion as she sang it. When finished, I got up and said, “Thank you everyone. This has been a remarkable evening for my family and friends.” I took her hand and walked her back to our table.

I left a tip and we walked to our car.

“MISTER THOMAS?”

I turned to see the manager following us.

“Yes sir. Did one of the ladies leave a purse?”

“No, we would normally have our regular combo back on Thursday, but they are stuck in an airport due to weather.”

“Yes?” I said.

“Would you and your talented friends and family be interested in coming back for the rest of the week and do some more of what you did tonight?”

Mom came up behind me saying, “Did I hear you correctly, you want us back to do this all again?”

“Yes, Ms. Forrester, we would provide you with dinner and a small fee of maybe $1,000 a night?”

“We are on vacation,” Alice said.

“$2,000?” he came back with.

I put out my hand and said, “You have a deal, could we get a table closer to the piano?”

“Michael,” Jan said. “You are too young to consummate a deal.”

“Sorry, Mom,” I said.

“Two thousand a night sounds about right. We need more than a verbal contract,” she added.

“Certainly, so ... we will see you all tomorrow. You all are quite talented.”

We said our goodbyes, and all got in the vehicle.

On the way back, we all screamed out loud.

Jenn and I got quiet making out while the ladies all were amazed over what had happened.

My phone rang. It was Brian.

“Hey Brian, you do know how late it is, don’t you?”

“Is that my Brian?” the driver of the vehicle asked.

“Tell her yes, it is. But, I am calling to speak to you. There are several videos on YouTube of you playing the piano and your harem all singing with you. Why didn’t you tell me, so I could be there?”

“I didn’t know we were going to do it until earlier today. We’re playing for the rest of the week, at least. It’s at Terry’s Restaurant and Lounge at the Cypress Inn on the Monterey Peninsula.”

“Where are you staying?” he asked.

“At the Embassy Suites Monterey Bay in Seaside,” I answered.

We finished up and I told everyone about what I said to Brian.

Back at the Embassy Suites, I gave Jan and Ally a goodnight kiss and we went to our separate rooms.

Last one in was Katie who locked the door.

“So, Michael, when did this idea of yours come to fruition?” she asked removing her shoes and earrings.

“I was eager to play the piano somewhere. I looked it up and found about six places, found out that Terry’s was nearby, and we ended up there.”

“You sure made it look easy tonight,” my Jennifer said turning her back to me, so I could unzip her.

In a matter of moments, I had two naked beautiful women in front of me. I wasn’t disrobing nearly as quickly.

“Would you prefer us wearing something to bed, or is naked OK with you?” Jenn said.

“It doesn’t matter to me. Naked or not, you know how I care about you both. I am a bit too tired to do anything right now, but maybe tomorrow sometime?”

“We have a big bed to share, all you need to do is turn my direction,” Katie said.

“Or mine,” Jenn said with a sly giggle.

I finished stripping and put on a change of boxers. I got into bed first and the naked ladies came in after. I cuddled behind Jenn and Katie cuddled behind me.

Surprisingly, I had a remarkable dreamless sleep. I did wakeup to Jenn playing with my lips and Katie sucking on my dick.

Oh, my!

Jenn and I started an arousing kiss that benefitted Katie when I grew in her mouth just as I exploded. Jenn moved down, and they shared the leftovers turning it into a quite amazing kiss between the two of them.

They took a shower and then I had a quick one of my own. I texted the moms, asking them to meet us for our free breakfast. I never got much food the night before, so I had my fill of scrambled eggs, waffles, sausage, and toast.

My workout plans were dealt a slight setback, but sometimes -- you just gotta have waffles.

As we arrived at Terry’s that evening, there was a parking space labeled “Thomas & Family.” We all snickered at that. Once inside there was a large sign that advertised that we would be ‘performing’ for a limited run.

The ladies all looked fabulous, with Jenn and Katie in strapless dresses. I had on a coat and tie. I felt the pay necessitated being dressier than the first night. I had many songs rolling through my mind as we walked into the lounge.

The bouncer came over and introduced himself as Warren Mapes. “Sorry for the grief I gave you last night Mr. Thomas. Anything you need for tonight?”

“Warren, could we get one more mic on a stand, so the ladies don’t have to share?”

“Sure thing, Sir.”

Our server from last night was ours again taking us up to a table closer to the stage. “Thank you for coming back. I really enjoyed all the music from last night.”

“It was just as much fun for us as it was for all of you,” I said.

“We have sold out for the rest of this week,” she offered. “Our Hotel side is 100% full as well.

“Fabulous.” I said kissing her hand. She giggled.

I looked down and saw it had turned seven pm.

“Ladies and Gentlemen ... Mr. Michael Robert Thomas Jr.”

I walked over to the piano to a very nice applause. I sat down and began “May Each Day,” playing for a minute before looking up and saying, “Welcome to Terry’s Restaurant and Lounge. Remember, if you like your service, tip your waiter, if you don’t, tip off the manager.”

There was a light chuckle from the crowd.

“We will be featuring some more of our eclectic list of music. To let you know, I am currently fourteen years old, and go to Lincoln High School in Vincennes, Indiana. My extended family and I thank you in advance for being here tonight.”

I changed my music to the Intro to “Diamonds Are Forever,” causing Katie and her magnificent melons to walk up to cheers and many a wolf whistle...

‘KATIE’ STAPLETON
Diamonds are forever,
They are all I need to please me,
They can stimulate and tease me,
They won’t leave in the night,
I’ve no fear that
they might desert me.

Diamonds are forever,
Hold one up and then caress it,
Touch it, stroke it and undress it,
I can see every part,
nothing hides in the
heart to hurt me.

(She began to mini-belt)

I don’t need love,
For what good will love do me?
Diamonds never lie to me,
for when love’s gone,
They will luster on!
Diamonds are forever,
Sparkling round my little finger.
Unlike men, the diamonds linger;
Men are mere mortals who
Are not worth going
to your grave for.

(Her big belt!)

I don’t need love,
for what good will love do me?
Diamonds never lie to me,
for when love’s gone,
they will luster on.

Diamonds are forever,
forever, forever.
Diamonds are forever,
forever, forever.
Forever and ever!

“That was Jennifer Stapleton, ladies and gentlemen. Isn’t she talented?” I said as the folks all gave her a marvelous applause.

She took a slow Jessica Rabbit walk back to the table and blew me a kiss as she sat down.

“As you may or may not know, I love music, especially from Movies and Broadway. We may throw in a relatively current piece of music from time to time.”

I transitioned to an instrumental version of “Always On My Mind.”

As I ended it, the applause was very nice.

“Someone who is always on my mind is my girlfriend. Jennifer would you come up, please?”

Looking truly scrumptious, she came up, I kissed her hand and she got ready.

“Our school has gotten the rights to put on WICKED next May, and I think you all should get a chance to hear our Galinda singing “Popular...”

JENNIFER ROSE GUTHRIE
Whenever I see someone
less fortunate than I,
And let’s face it, who isn’t
less fortunate than I?
My tender heart
tends to start to bleed.
And when someone
needs a makeover,
I simply have to take over!
I know, I know exactly
what they need!

And even in your case,
Though it’s the toughest
case I have yet to face,
Don’t worry, I am
determined to succeed!
Follow my lead,
And yes indeed,
you will be...

(As she sang, I noticed the crowd mouthing along with her. She went on until)

And Though You Protest
Your Disinterest,
I Know Clandestinely...
You’re Gonna Grin and Bear It
Your New Found
Popularity! (Squeals)
La La La La
You will Be Popular!
Just Not Quite As

Popular As Me!

The crowd not only applauded, many stood for her. I walked over and gave her a light kiss and slapped her lightly on the tush. Mom came over to the piano as I stayed up, with Jenn leaving.

“That’s my mother at the piano, she sang professionally for fifteen years as Janice Forrester. She taught me how to play piano and recently gave me some singing lessons. I know how I came to be, but she ... must have fallen from the sky.”

That was her cue to begin ... and me to sing.

MICHAEL
You must have fallen from the sky
You must have
shattered on the wrong way
You brought so many to the light
And now you are by yourself

There comes a point in every fight
where giving up seems the only way
when everyone has said goodbye
and now you are on your own

(She joined in with me singing high harmony)

BOTH
And if you need
somewhere to fall apart
somewhere to fall apart.

MICHAEL
When the rules of Cain
The rights you made
The hours did crawl
For those to blame
The broken glass
The fool that asked
The moving arrow to stop
You must have fallen from the sky
You must have
come here in the pouring rain
You took so many through the light
And now you are on your own

BOTH
And if you need
somewhere to fall apart
somewhere to fall apart.

Well the ruins of man
The bloodied rag
the fool the bull
The powdered hag
The nights that make
The rattle rag
The wolves that
follow the outted man
The falling star
The way we are ... Divine!
The rules that
never ever multiply

MICHAEL
You must have fallen from the sky
You must have come
here on the wrong way
You came among us every time
But now you are on your own

BOTH
And if you need
somewhere to fall apart
Somewhere to fall apart

MICHAEL
Well they call you saint
The basket case
The rules of thumb
You have to break
The raging skull
The rag to the bull
The nails that drag
In either hand
Well I will make
My work of that
I know this place
I know this task
You must have
fallen from the sky...

She played it to the end. During our applause, she got up and we hugged so tightly. “I love you Mom.”

She curtseyed and left. I sat back down at the piano. “A while back, our schools got together and put on the show ANNIE. There is a character in the show called Miss Hannigan. To perform the show-stopping number tonight is Jennifer’s mother, Alice Guthrie.”

She walked up to the microphone and said, “Hello Everybody.”

I started the music to “Little Girls...”

ALICE Little girls
Little girls
Everywhere I turn
I can see them

Little girls
Little girls
Night and day
I eat, sleep
and breathe them

(She was really getting into it about now)

I am an ordinary
woman with feelings
I’d like a man to nibble on my ear
But I will admit no man has bit
So how come I am
the mother of the year?

They loved her interpretation. She would tease and move in place a bit as she sang this fabulous piece of music.

After this was done, she smiled and curtseyed. I came up beside her and said, “We’re taking a dinner break, back in a while.” We walked to our table together as the crowds’ appreciation came to a crescendo!

“It’s going pretty good; wouldn’t you say, ladies?” I asked.

“I ordered for you like you asked,” Katie said. “By the way, I think it’s going great so far tonight. You do know that we don’t have to keep doing music we hadn’t done before?”

“I like showing off, both me and my harem, as Brian called you the other night,” I said to them.

“He used that term?” Mom asked.

“Yeah,” I said as our food arrived.

I liked not having to rush like the previous night. We ate leisurely as the ladies were wondering what we would do next? I had planned all the content so far with the ladies, but I planned to change things up, for our next set.

I took a glance at my music list for a while as I ate.

“Michael, put that down and enjoy your dinner. Even the great Michael Thomas needs to eat and keep his strength,” Katie said.

“Sorry, just trying to think ahead, that’s all. I may just switch things around a little. I reviewed a lot of music earlier today, and I have some surprises for you ladies,” I said with a smirk.

“I trust you,” Jenn said. “We all do.”

“I will begin with an instrumental piece, then call up the moms for a duet. Be ready. Both Jan and Katie told me they knew a few Doris Day hits, so I plan to intersperse a few of those in tonight and the rest of the week.”

A familiar face walked into the place. He shushed me until he was behind mom. “Hey Doll?”

“Brian, sit down! It’s so good to see you,” she said giving him a little kiss.

“How does Michael survive surrounded by all of these gorgeous women?” he asked.

“A lot of Vitamin C,” I answered to the ladies tittering.

“Jeff isn’t with you?” Ally asked looking around.

‘Sorry, but he couldn’t get away. I will give him a big kiss from you...”

“Ohhh ... no you won’t. I can do my own kissing, thankyouverymuch.”

Wiping my face and taking a drink, I excused myself to the bathroom. I came out and went directly to the piano. There was a slight applause.

“We have another friend of the family here with us ... my mother’s boyfriend. I don’t know if he sings or not. Do you, Brian?”

He waved immediately ‘No’ with his hands as the crowd got a kick from that.

I went right into an instrumental version of “I’[ve Got You Under My Skin,” which the crowd recognized.

When finished, I got a nice applause.

“OK, that’s enough of that. I have these four women that are not only beautiful, but they are quite talented in many ways. They even sing quite well.”

That got the crowd going, so, “My mother and her best friend sang us all a song a while back. I hadn’t heard of it before, but it was written by Arthur Fields and Walter Donovan way back in 1947.”

“Come on up ladies and tell us all about an “Aba Daba Honeymoon.”

We started at the verse...

ALLY
Way down in the Congo land,
Lived a happy chimpanzee
She loved a monkey,
with a long tail,
Lordy, how she loved him!
Each night he would find her there,
Swinging in the coconut tree
And the monkey, gay
At the break of day,
Loved to hear his chimp-y say

MOM
“Aba daba daba daba daba daba daba”
Said the chimp-y to the monk