Chapter 35

I started to sit at the piano, but I got up and went to the drum set. I hope Honora, who taught me a lot about the drums, might just see this. Tiffany too!

I picked up the sticks and said, “This is my first attempt at this, but with my ladies looking so good, I thought we should start out with the anthem ‘Since U Been Gone’ first recorded by Kelly Clarkson...”

I started a beat, after eight of them Ally came to the piano and played over my beat.

“From your left to your right, is Alice Guthrie on Piano, Jennifer Stapleton, Janice Forester, and my girlfriend Jennifer Guthrie.

While I was saying that, there was a great applause from the entire crowd. I put down the sticks and went back to the piano. “I’d been wanting to play the drums for over four years, but my mom didn’t want a drum set in the house.”

Everybody laughed at that.

“Many crooners have sung this next number over the years including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Michael Bublé.”

I played “Come Fly with Me” as an instrumental number. When it was done, during the applause I quietly asked for a glass of water.

I took a quick sip. “It’s water ... I promise!” There were chuckles.

“Jennifer, come on out please?”

She did to a nice applause. She got in front of a mic. I gave her a chord and she started “Amazing Grace” totally a cappello. I took another sip as she sang beautifully. I looked out to see the audience. There were tears throughout the place.

Her pure tones got everyone to their feet.

I transitioned to start playing “Man, I Feel Like A Woman,” which got her moving as she started the song. She took the mic off the stand and walked towards the crowd as she sang. I suggested she could move around and she was enjoying herself. She was flipping her beautiful long blonde hair as she sang.

When she finished, so did I getting up to get her and say, “We’re taking our dinner break, back in a bit”

I took off my mic laying it down on the piano.

I excused myself and was greeted by a drunk older woman who said, “If you wwwant a woman, I am available. You are verrrry ... talented. Are you as good in the sack?”

Warren, the bouncer, was there in the nick of time. “Sorry Sir, some people don’t their own limits.”

I went in and took care of business, washed my face and ran out to finish my dinner. Everything was so good. When my plate was clean, I pulled from my pocket a gold necklace, starting with Jenn, and going around the table, each of them loved the new bling.

I walked to the piano. I put on my mic and started to play “Moon River.” With Mom’s help and persistence, I have gotten to be a much better pianist.

It was done. and the applause was nice. “Ladies and Gentlemen, help me get my girl and mother back up here please?”

Applause was instant. I quickly got back to the piano and played ‘Always on My Mind,’ that they sang.

They finished it, sounding so much better than they had rehearsed; the audience loved it as well.

After they sat down, “My future mother-in-law, Miss Alice Guthrie.”

“When I first met Jennifer, I didn’t know that her mother and my mother went to college together. After the stories started, I realized that their relationship from college was indeed, “Unforgettable...”

ALLY (JANICE)
Unforgettable, that’s what you are
(Unforgettable, though near or far)
Like a song of love that clings to me
How the thought of you does things to me
Never before has someone been more

(Unforgettable, in every way)
And forevermore, that’s how you will stay
(And forevermore, that’s how you will stay)

BOTH
That’s why darling it’s incredible
That someone so unforgettable
Thinks that I am unforgettable too

(A very lovely interlude)

No, never before has
someone been more
Ooh, unforgettable in every way
(Unforgettable in every way)
And forevermore, that’s how you will stay
(And forevermore, that’s how you will stay)

BOTH
That’s why darling it’s incredible
That someone so unforgettable
Thinks that I am unforgettable too

(I played some measures as they took each other’s hands)

No, never before has
someone been more

Thinks that I am unforgettable
Too!

The rest of the evening went just as well, as we ended by singing acapella five-part harmony to “God Bless the USA.”

As they went on, I stepped out and said, “I hope that you have enjoyed your evening with ‘Michael and the Gold Standard.’ Drive safely.” I stepped back and joined them.

That I am proud to be an American
Where at least I know I am free
and I won’t forget the men, who died,
Who gave that right to me
and I’d gladly stand up next to you
and defend her still today
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land
God bless the USA.

The place was still mostly full, and they stood up for us all. We were surrounded by autograph seekers, which the ladies all thought was awesome. I got between Jenn and Katie as the crowd thinned out.

“Michael,” Katie said, “I am so horny right now.”

“Me too,” Jenn said.

We took our two vehicles back to the Embassy Suites. I asked everyone to come to our room for a moment.

Brian said, “The Gold Standard, now that is a great name, Michael!”

I went back in front of them and asked Jennifer to stand up.

I went to my pocket, as I dropped to a single knee... “Jennifer Rose Guthrie, will you marry me?”

Despite knowing this was going to happen, she still screamed and quickly said, “Yes!”

Everybody hugged each other, as mom was quick to ask, “How soon are you planning to do this?”

“We both have to be sixteen or older, so on my birthday maybe?” I speculated.

“Are you still planning to go off to college together?” Ally asked.

“Probably, but we might take a year off to travel and entertain people like we have been doing for the last couple of nights.”

“You certainly have the talent to do that,” Brian said.

When I woke up the next morning, my dick hurt.

Jenn had started with a blowjob, sucking me dry. After getting me hard again, she climbed on board and rode me and rode me. She would let me suck on her tits for a while then pulled them away from me. She was being the most aggressive I could remember ... and I loved it.

After finally cumming inside her, I thought I was done. She flipped and took my dick and started sucking on it again. My cum was leaking out of her pussy right in front of me. Come on, Michael ... you know you want to!

I pulled her pussy to my face and licked and sucked her. She was tasty. I drove my tongue deep inside her while she was gobbling all over my dick and balls. I felt her cum all over tongue, which caused me to cum inside her mouth again.

Now ... I was done!

We were found this way, but asleep by Katie in a t-shirt in the morning. She woke us up with Jenn running to the bathroom.

“I think she broke it,” I said to this buxom woman.

“I want it next, but it can wait a day, Lover. Last night was our best performance so far; don’t you think?”

“Yeah, I am thinking of going back and doing some numbers from our first night over again. I am planning ahead for next Tuesday when Miss Day might be there. We have got six of her songs mostly ready.”

I heard the shower start so I got up and went in to wash up.

Jenn slapped me on the bare butt on my way out.

Coming back out Ally had come in and caught me naked.

“Jan and Brian are having the morning to themselves, so I guess you are stuck with Katherine, and me” Ally said.

“I wouldn’t call it being stuck Alice. I am personally in need of a massage on my shoulders and lower back. Would you ladies help me out?”

Jenn came out saying, “He really could use a nice rubdown. Come to think of it I wouldn’t mind one myself. Katie would you do me?”

“I guess that leaves me to give my future son-in-law a massage,” Ally said with the sound of glee in her voice.

My fiancée’s mother’s hands felt wonderful. She first worked on my sore shoulder making sure she wasn’t hurting me, then she climbed on my back and did my neck and shoulder blades. She slowly moved down my back working all along my extensors, flexors, and oblique’s ... explaining what and where they were as she went.

I asked for her to do the shoulders again, but with some menthol rub. As I expected, I was falling asleep. However, I felt her cuddle up next to me.

“Thanks Ally...”

That night at Terry’s was another big hit, using music we had previously sung, but the people still enjoyed every bit of it. We ended with our a capella “God Bless the USA” again. The ladies, and I, were all wearing our Gold Standard necklaces as I said our goodnights to the crowd.

As we were being paid, the manager said, “Could you play for another week?”

Brian stepped forward and replied, “This is Thursday night, so do you want them until next Thursday or through next weekend?”

He responded, “That Sunday would be fine to be the last performance. You folks are really bringing in more people than we can handle in an evening. Thank you very much, all of you.”

We watched him walk back into the Lounge. “I almost asked him for another nightly increase, but I think he’s making out like a bandit on the food and drink side of his business,” Brian said.

“I love it when you talk business,” Janice said to him branding him with her lipstick on the lips.

Tuesday evening arrived. The ladies had another rehearsal of the Doris Day music just that morning.

They were all in dresses, with their hair down with the Gold necklaces gleaming just above their breasts.

We walked in to people waiting to get autographs, so we did that for a while, and then Warren cleared a path for us to get to our table. It’s cool to have a six-foot four tall friend.

Our regular server came over and got us all some water to drink. We have certainly made her some nice tips since we started performing.

Mom had the brilliant idea a few days ago for the four of them to sing “Mr. Sandman.” That would be the first number of the evening.

I got up, put on my cheek mic and went to the piano. “Good Evening everyone?” I said creating a nice ten finger chord.

“Hello Michael!”

“It’s good to know you can be trained,” I said with a chuckle.

I started playing as the girls lined up in front of their microphones.

“Hi, I am Michael’s mother, Janice”
“Hello, I am her best friend, Alice”
“Hi, I am Michael’s fiancée, my name is Jennifer.”
“And I am Katherine, Michael’s ... Very special friend.”

“We are the GOLD STANDARD!”

The crowd loved it. I gave them their opening notes...

Bum-bum-bum-bum
bum-bum-bum-bum
bum-bum-bum-bum
bum

Bum

Bum-bum-bum-bum
bum-bum-bum-bum
bum-bum-bum-bum
bum

Mr. Sandman
Bring me a dream
Make him the cutest
that I have ever seen
Give him two lips
Like roses in clover
Then tell him that
his lonesome nights are over
Sandman
I am so alone
Don’t have nobody
To call my own
Please turn on
your magic beam
Mr. Sandman
bring me a dream
Bum-bum-bum-bum
bum-bum-bum-bum
bum-bum-bum-bum
bum

Bum

Bum-bum-bum-bum
bum-bum-bum-bum
bum-bum-bum-bum
bum

Mr. Sandman
Bring me a dream
Make him the cutest
That I have ever seen
Give him the word
That I am not a rover
Then tell him that his
lonesome nights are over
Sandman
I am so alone
Don’t have nobody
To call my own
Please turn on
your magic beam
Mr. Sandman
bring me a dream

(I had cut some of it.)

Please turn on your magic beam
Mr. Sandman
Bring me
Please please bring us
A dream

They hit that final chord together and the applause began. They all waved to the crowd and came back to the table.

“I think I was off-pitch,” Katie said.

“Nobody cared much about what you were singing Katie. You all looked so good.”

I headed back to the piano and sat down playing and singing the first of our tributes to Miss Day...

When I fall in love,
it will be forever,
or I will never fall in love.
In a restless world, like this is
love is ended before its begun
and too many moonlight kisses
seem to cool in the warmth of the sun.

When I give my heart
it will be completely
or I will never give my heart

And the moment I can feel that
you feel that way too
is when I will fall in love
with you

(Jenn came over sitting by me and singing along ... this wasn’t planned! She smiled at me.)

And the moment I can feel that
You feel that way too
is when I will fall in love
when I will fall in love
when I will fall in love with you.

People were crying, people were applauding, and I saw the door open. The silhouette of her face has barely changed ... it was Doris Day herself. I broke into the intro of “Que Sera Sera” as I said to the crowd, “Ladies and Gentlemen ... Miss Doris Day!”

She sat, as the place was full of people singing along. When everyone was finished, everyone got up and applauded for her.

She waved as things calmed down.

I began to play “You Light Up My Life” as Miss Stapleton got up to sing. She walked by me running her fingers through my hair.

She was as effervescent as ever, belting the hell out of this 1977 classic piece of music.

She gave a gracious curtsy when she was done. Time for another classic as I started to play the title song from GOLDFINGER...

Ally got up and put her fingers through my hair on the way to a microphone.

ALICE GUTHRIE
Goldfinger,
he’s the man
The man with
the Midas touch
A spider’s touch
Such a cold finger
Beckons you to
enter his web of sin
But don’t go in
Golden words
he will pour in your ear
But his lies can’t
disguise what you fear
For a golden girl
knows when he’s kissed her
It’s the kiss of death
from Mister Goldfinger
Pretty girl, beware
of his heart of gold
This heart is cold
Golden words
he will pour in your ear
But his lies can’t
disguise what you fear
For a golden girl
knows when he’s kissed her
It’s the kiss of death
from Mister Goldfinger
Pretty girl, beware
of his heart of gold
This heart is cold
Here comes her big belt!
He loves only gold
Only gold
He loves gold
He loves only gold
Only gold
He loves ... GOLD...

She held that final note like a professional singer ... wait a minute, she is one!

They loved her. Too bad we are only five voices and a piano!

She stepped down and I said, “We’re taking our dinner break, back in 30.”

Our food had just arrived. It was great as usual. I gave Jenn and Katie each a kiss and excused myself to the restroom.

On my way, I was grabbed and kissed by a hot redhead, but Warren was there to get her off me. He waved at my lips, so I went back inside and saw the mark left by the girl and cleaned myself off.

I put my hands on Katie’s shoulders for a moment, then Ally’s, heading back to the piano.

“In tribute to our special guest, my fiancée will be singing “It’s Magic.”

“Jennifer, please” I began to play...

You sigh, a song begins,
you speak, and I hear violins
It’s magic

The stars desert the skies
And rush to nestle in your eyes
It’s magic
Without a golden wand
Or mystic charms,
Fantastic things begin
When I am in your arms
When we walk hand in hand
The world becomes a wonderland
It’s magic

How else can I explain
those rainbows when there is no rain
It’s magic...
Why do I tell myself
These things that happen
are all really true
When in my heart I know
The magic is
my love for you

(There is a musical break)

It’s magic...
Why do I tell myself
These things that happen
are all really true
When in my heart I know
The magic is my love for you

The first to stand was Doris Day herself. She came up to Jennifer who was trembling and had stepped down and gave her a marvelous hug. Miss Day’s companion came up to help her, and I got Jennifer back to her seat.

I went back to the piano, asking for Katie to come and replace me for a song. She played a little as I moved a mic out of my way and sang my favorite song from ANNIE, with a chance to show off my lower register...

Life’s overflowing
Why should I change a thing?
Love how it’s going
Got the world on that string

Why disturb the peace?
Why not let things be?
Why risk getting close?
Close – Just isn’t me.

I’d say I am happy
Why am I tempting fate?
Who needs more happy?
Anyway, it’s too late
Who needs the clatter that
A little girl would bring?
Why change a blessed...

Damn! What do I know about children?
Except they usually come small
They read, but not the Wall Street Journal
They write with crayons on the wall

Does one have breakfast with them often?
Take them to movies and to school.
Why don’t you get some clear instructions?
Like when you buy a set of tools.

Damn! What do I know about children?
Could they just possibly be fun?
I think the thing that’s most disturbing
I don’t remember being one!

Why should I change a thing?
Got the world on that string

Why disturb the peace
Why not let things be
Why risk getting close
When close ... just isn’t me.

(Building to a crescendo)

Not a thing stays the same
Now, when I send Christmas cards
Add a name?

It’s a mistake to take her
Underneath my wing
Why change the mailbox
Redo the bedrooms
Undo vacations
Learn to love corn flakes

Why change a bless-ed thing!

I couldn’t keep from weeping as the piano stopped playing.

They liked me. And, I loved ... every single one of them.

“We will be back in fifteen minutes,” I said taking off my mic and putting it on the piano.

I couldn’t stop crying as I left back to my chair at the table. Mom came up to me and said, “Michael ... that was the best you have ever sung in your life. I am very proud of you.”

My breathing was finally lessening. When I felt up to it, I got back and put on the mic, and played “Some Enchanted Evening” as an instrumental.

The evening moved on as we had two pieces of music left.

Katie came out as I started the pre-singing music to “Secret Love...”

Once I had a secret love
That lived within the heart of me
All too soon my secret love
Became impatient to be free
So I told a friendly star
The way that dreamers often do
Just how wonderful you are
And why I am so in love with you
Now I shout it
from the highest hills
Even told the golden daffodils
At last my heart’s an open door
And my secret love’s
no secret anymore

(We cut most of the intervening measures.)

Now I shout it
from the highest hills
Even told the golden daffodils
At last my heart’s an open door
And my secret love’s
no secret anymore

(The audience loved her and her voice.)

She stayed out as the other ladies came out to sing our signature finale. As we got to that point, I stepped forward and said, “Ladies and Gentlemen, never in our lives have we been as proud to sing before you tonight. Thank you, Miss Day for being here as well.” I stepped back, and we finished...

And I’d gladly stand
up next to you
And defend her still today
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt
I love this land
God Bless the USA.

God Bless the USA.

“Drive safely, thank you very much.”

After the applause, people were paying their bills and I saw Miss Day walking towards us. She turned to Jennifer and said, “I haven’t heard a voice like yours in a very long time. Whatever your dreams are, don’t be afraid of them?”

“Thank you, Ma’am. However, I still have high school to finish.”

“How old are you?”

“Barely sixteen-years-old.”

“My goodness, and you Mister Thomas, how old are you?”

“Just turned fourteen in June, but I start high school next month.”

“Whatever careers are ahead of you, all of you, I wish to thank you for performing here. I understand you are booked until next Sunday?”

“Yes, we are,” Brian said taking her hand and kissing the back of it. “I am Brian O’Sullivan, their manager. We would be happy to come back here next year for a full two weeks?”

“Leave your information with my house manager, I am certain we can accommodate you. You all know such a wide range of music.”

“That’s my fault Ma’am,” I said. “I have a very eclectic collection of eight thousand songs in different media plus sheet music for another six thousand.”

“Thank you again, I need to be going. You are all so very good.”

Her assistant took her away, as we collected our things. The manager came up to pay us, and we gave him the information for next December. I asked for a Monday off in the middle to enjoy the area better and he easily agreed.

We drove home with Brian and Mom in the front seat.

“I can’t believe I met Doris Day tonight.” Jennifer said. “You were certainly cool and calm about it. How do you do that, Michael?”

“I treat everyone the same unless they give me reason not to,” I answered.

Jenn shook me awake as we pulled into the parking lot. The nights they are open until midnight is a little tougher to get through.

As we approached the elevator from the parking lot a guy came into view with a knife in his hand. I got in front of Jenn and Ally, as I saw a leg kick come from my left.

Katie disarmed him with a single move. He ran off after dropping the knife on the ground. She picked it up broke it with her heel and threw both pieces in the trashcan.

She smiled and said, “A woman needs to know how to protect herself.”

The elevator door closed as they started talking about learning some moves from Katherine. Brian and Janice got off first; the rest went to our floors.

“I could use another rubdown, this time on both my arms. All the piano playing wore me out.”

“We need to work on the “Mister Sandman” number,” Ally said. “I was off a little tonight ... I am sorry everyone.”

“Don’t worry about it tonight, Ms. Guthrie,” I said. “I may sleep until noon.”

I had Jennifer all to myself; first, she gave me a wonderful rubdown. After that, we cuddled up together and slept quite comfortably.

The next morning, with her on my arm, we went to the workout area together. There was a treadmill for her while I did my usual routine of exercises. Afterward, we both stripped down. I jumped into the pool and did some laps until I was beginning to feel it in my legs. I got out and saw a guy chatting up my girl.

I got took her hand saying, “Who’s your friend, Jennifer?”

“Hello, I am Michael ... her fiancé. You are?”

“Outtahere,” he said moving quickly.

“So, you are just as jealous, aren’t you?” she said to me.

“OK Ok, I get just as jealous as you do,” I admitted.

“You are just too cute sometimes,” she said giving me a kiss.

“I have been told that before,” I said.

We clinched and kissed for a while.

When we got back to the room, I texted everyone to come in and practice. Having turned in our rental keyboards before our run was extended wasn’t as problematic as you might think. Between Katie and me, we taught the melodies by ear. Mom helped as well.

We went back to the music from the Webber/Sondheim event and picked out some music to sing. I used my tablet with a Grand Piano App and after we heard the song, Katie would play it on the App. From there the music was easy to learn and teach whoever wanted to sing it. Maybe we should invest in a travel-sized keyboard if we pursued this further?

Our final Sunday night performance was amazing. People had been waiting to be let in since six pm. We showed up at our usual time of seven pm to a rousing cheer from a full house.

We got into our usual spot. My ladies were dressed to the nines, but we still had on our Gold Standard Necklaces. I asked Warren to close the top of the piano. He smiled at me. Our lovely server brought us some water and handed us all menus.

I placed my order for later, took a drink of water and got up to go over to the piano. I put on the cheek mic and went right into our first number.

As I played the beginning of “Call Me, Maybe” each of the ladies got up in tempo and got to their mics.

The other ladies were in sync moving their lovely bottoms as they sang so wonderfully

We all ended together in a cold stop. The crowd went ballistic!

“Hello Ladies and Gentlemen, from your right is Jennifer Guthrie, (who curtsied) next is Alice Guthrie her mother. Closest to me is Jennifer Stapleton, and finally the woman I love more than any other, Janice Forrester, my mother. My name is Michael Robert Thomas Jr ... and we are the GOLD STANDARD.”

Long before I had finished the introductions the applause and cheers began. The gals gave a group curtsey and headed to the table.

“Alice, come back, please?”

She did ending up in front of a mic. I began playing and she came in perfectly...

Strangers in the night
exchanging glances
Wondering in the night
What were the chances
we’d be sharing love
Before the night was through.

Something in your eyes
was so inviting,
Something in you smile
was so exciting,
Something in my heart,
Told me I must have you.

Strangers in the night,
two lonely people
We were strangers in the night
Up to the moment
When we said our first hello.
Little did we know
Love was just a glance away,
A warm embracing dance away and
Ever since that night
we have been together.
Lovers at first sight,
in love forever.
It turned out so right,
For strangers in the night.
Love was just a glance away,
A warm embracing dance away.

Ever since that night
we have been together.
Lovers at first sight, in love forever.
It turned out so right,

For strangers in the night.
For strangers in the night
For strangers in the night...

She held out the final note so long ... I am very proud of my fiancée’s mother. She so loves the adulation of it all.

Next up, was an instrumental of the Disney classic “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.” The crowd couldn’t keep from singing along, which I had expected. When it was over, there was a marvelous cheer.

Jenn came up behind me and took off my mic and put it on, pulling herself upon the edge of the piano. She crossed her legs quite provocatively.

“Sometimes, I feel like Lucy from Charlie Brown and I think of Michael as Schroeder,” she spoke. I began the music...

D’ya know something, Schroeder?
I think the way you
play the piano is nice.
D’ya know something else?
It’s always been my dream
that I’d marry a man
who plays the piano.

(She slid over to me quite seductively.)

At parties he’d play
Something nice like
“April Showers.”
I am sure you could play
Something nice like
“April Showers.”

Or even “Frere Jacques.”
Beethoven’s nice too.

(Now she was in my face singing.)

Just imagine
What would you think
if someday you and
I should get married?
Wouldn’t you like that if someday
we two should get married?

(Spoken)
My aunt Marion was right, never try to discuss marriage with a musician.

We had a nice kiss and I helped her off the piano. The crowd absolutely adored her interpretation. While they applauded, she took off the mic, putting it back on me. I patted her butt as she left.